Roman Mikhalev
Étoile – l’Opéra National de Bordeaux

Ballet Teacher & Co-Director – Jude Mikhalev Ballet Academy

Trained and graduated from the Vaganova Ballet Academy in St. Petersburg, Roman Mikhalev began his career at the Moussorgski Opera Ballet, where he was promoted to soloist after two years. In 2005, following a gala in Japan honoring Rudolf Nureyev, Charles Jude invited him to join the Ballet de l’Opéra National de Bordeaux, where he became an Étoile dancer in 2012.

He performed leading roles in Charles Jude’s productions, including Coppélia, Don Quixote, The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, Swan Lake, and Romeo and Juliet. His repertoire also includes works by Michel Fokine, Bronislava Nijinska, Serge Lifar, George Balanchine, William Forsythe, Jiří Kylián, Carolyn Carlson, Ohad Naharin, and others.

In 2018, he was Assistant Ballet Master for Angelin Preljocaj’s Snow White and bid farewell to the stage in Léonid Yakobson’s Vestris. Recognized for his distinguished career, he received a state diploma exemption for teaching classical ballet.

Today, he is a sought-after teacher and jury member, proficient in both Vaganova and French ballet techniques. He coaches aspiring professionals, collaborates with companies and festivals worldwide, and serves as co-director and professor at the Jude Mikhalev Ballet Academy.