By Lina Broydo
Photo: Natasha Makarova is accompanied by Dennis Nahat: at the “Grand Prix Dance Open America” Gala.
Named the “Stradivarius of Dance” by Serge Lifar, a famous choreographer and one of the best dancers of the 20th Century, the Legendary Prima Ballerina Natalia Makarova was recently honored at a Spectacular Grand Prix Dance Open America Awards Gala & Performance celebrating her as one of the greatest ballerinas of all times.
Natalia (Natasha) Makarova is a towering figure in the world of ballet. Born in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), Russia, she began her illustrious career with the Kirov Ballet, where her extraordinary talent quickly elevated her to the status of prima ballerina. In 1970, entering the world renowned Vaganova Academy at the age of 13 into a special class condensing the 9-year program to six years. After graduating, she joined the legendary Kirov Ballet, rapidly rising to the rank of Ballerina. She won the Gold Medal in Varna in l965 and the Anna Pavlova Award in Paris in 1970.
She came to international prominence in 1961 when with the Kirov Ballet in London, Makarova made the courageous decision to defect to the West, joining the American Ballet Theatre (ABT) in New York, where she would go on to create some of the most unforgettable and stunning performances in ballet history. “Natasha was one of the first Russian ballerina to exit the Soviet Union and I was one the first to greet her at the American Ballet Theatre in 1970 when she first arrived in the United States” – Dennis Nahat, Dancer and Choreographer with the American Ballet Theater, Artistic Director and Choreographer of the San Jose/Cleveland Ballet; Founder/President of Theatre Ventures International, Co-Artistic Director of The Donald McKayle Legacy and the adviser to the Grand Prix Dance Open America.
In 1976 Makarova moved to San Francisco where she met her husband, the late Edward Karkar, a telecommunications industrialist. Together they have a son Andrei and as a doting Mom she was awarded the 1979 “Mother of the Year” Award. She still calls San Francisco her home.
Makarova’s artistry is distinguished by her impeccable technique, expressive lyricism, and profound emotional depth. Partnering with the most famous legends of ballet Rudolf Nureyev, Misha Baryshnikov and Ivan Nagy, her iconic portrayals of roles such as Odette/Odile in “Swan Lake”, Giselle in “Giselle”, Tatiana in “Onegin” and many other works are widely regarded as definitive, setting the gold standard for dancers worldwide.
As a passionate ballet lover, my life was enriched by a priceless gift of watching the magnificent ballerina Natalia Makarova perform the lead roles in “Swan Lake”, “Giselle”, “Onegin, “The Dying Swan” and “La Bayadere.” And till today I declare absolutely nobody moves her arms as Natalia in the role of the mesmerizing Odette in “Swan Lake’s” second act as she departs the stage on the way to the lake…The audience stopped breathing, and so did I.
In February 1989, after 19 years’ absence, she was the first artist to be invited back to perform in the Soviet Union. She returned to her native Leningrad where she danced with the Kirov Ballet on the stage where she began her illustrious career.
Natalia is known as the Ballerina Assoluta, a rare honor awarded to the most exceptional dancer of a generation.
Natalia Makarova in “Swan Lake”; Makarova and Misha Baryshnikov in :Giselle”; Rudolf Nureyev and Makarove in a rehearsal; Makarova and her husband Edward Karkar)
Her television work includes the 4-part series ‘Ballerina,’ which she wrote, choreographed and presented for the BBC London/WNET. The program received an Emmy Award Nomination in 1986; ‘Assoluta’ (BBC); ‘Makarova Returns’ (BBC); ‘In a Class of Her Own’ and ‘Natasha”. She has also been filmed in “Swan Lake”, “Giselle”, “Romeo and Juliet” and “La Bayadere”. She made her musical comedy debut on Broadway in “On Your Toes”, winning the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical in 1983, Drama Desk Award, the Stanislavsky Award, Astaire Award and numerous other awards. In 1984 she starred in the West End London production of “On Your Toes”, for which she won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress.
In February 1989, after 19 years’ absence, she was the first artist to be invited back to perform in the Soviet Union. She returned to her native Leningrad where she danced with the Kirov Ballet on the stage where she began her illustrious career. In 1991 she made her debut as a dramatic actress in the Chichester Festival production of “Tovarich”, which transferred to the West End in London.
She returned to Russia in 1992 in the play “Two for the Seesaw”, giving performances in Moscow and St. Petersburg. In 1997 she starred in the Chichester Festival production of George Bernard Shaw’s play “Misalliance”. She played Elvira in Noel Coward’s “Blithe Spirit” at the Palace Theatre in England.
Beyond the stage, Makarova has profoundly influenced the ballet community as a mentor, choreographer, and director. Her dedication to nurturing the next generation of dancers and preserving the classical repertoire has left an indelible legacy.
Accepting the prestigious 2025 Grand Prix Dance Award Natalia Makarova addressed the young audience: “LOVE your art and what you are doing, and most importantly, be a good person…”
The photo credits: Fredrika Davis; Grand Prix Dance Open America; Dina Makaroff; Natalia Makarova and Dennis Nahat
