Alex Lapshin

Founder & Artistic Director, Koltun Ballet Boston

Alex Lapshin graduated from the eight-year program at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow in 1986 and joined the Bolshoi Ballet that same year. During his four seasons with the company under the supervision of Boris Akimov, he toured extensively throughout Europe, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and the United States.

After relocating to the U.S. and obtaining citizenship, Alex continued his studies in New York with Stanley Williams at the School of American Ballet, where he was introduced to Rudolf Nureyev, who personally coached him for a production of The Nutcracker. In 1991, he joined the Vienna State Opera Ballet as a principal dancer, performing leading roles in the full classical repertoire as well as contemporary works by John Neumeier and John Cranko.

Upon returning to New York City in 1995, Alex appeared as a guest artist with numerous North American companies. He partnered New York City Ballet star Valentina Kozlova at the Joyce Theater NY, worked with choreographer Margo Sappington for The Daring Project NY, and collaborated with Igal Perry at Peridance NY. Though firmly rooted in the classical tradition, Alex’s artistic curiosity led him to explore modern dance, and in 1997 he joined Les Grands Ballets Canadiens in Montreal as a principal dancer. There, he performed works by renowned choreographers including Jiří Kylián, Nacho Duato, Kevin O’Day, Septime Webre, and James Kudelka.

In 1999, Alex was invited to join Boston Ballet as a principal dancer under the direction of Anna-Marie Holmes, performing leading roles in critically acclaimed productions such as La Bayadère, Don Quixote, and Sleeping Beauty, as well as works by George Balanchine and other major contemporary choreographers. In 2001, he collaborated with Peter Martins of New York City Ballet, who created an original work for him for a Gala at the Joyce Theater—earning outstanding reviews from The New York Times. That same year, he performed the title role in Swan Lake by Bruce Marks as a guest artist with Dallas–Fort Worth Ballet.

From 2001 to 2005, Alex continued his international career as a principal guest artist with Ballet San Jose Silicon Valley, appearing in productions by Danish choreographer Flemming Flindt (Miraculous Mandarin and Out of Africa), and in numerous international galas including the Vienna International Gala, Stars of American Ballet in Milan, and International Ballet Stars in the Netherlands and Belgium. His performances were also featured on television throughout the United States.

Having retired from the stage, Alex turned his focus to teaching. His teaching career began in 1991 as a guest instructor at Point Park College in Pittsburgh, and he has since taught at numerous institutions across the U.S. and abroad, including the Bolshoi Ballet Academy Summer Intensive (1995–2000), Peridance NY (1995–1997), Mills College (2001), and Phoenix International Ballet Academy (2005). He has also served on faculty with Ballet San Jose School, San Francisco City Ballet, and Alonzo King’s Dance Center.
In 2006, Alex joined the faculty of Miami City Ballet, where he taught classical ballet, pas de deux, and developed an open adult division. During this time, he began choreographing and created original works for students of all levels. In 2009, he completed a certificate program at Stanford University on The Six Practices of High-Impact Nonprofit Organizations.

From 2009 to 2012, Alex was a guest ballet master with The Royal Ballet of Flanders, Stuttgart Ballet, The Royal Ballet School of Antwerp, Boston Ballet, and The Hartt School at the University of Hartford, and served as a faculty member at Boston Ballet School. Between 2008 and 2015, he coached and taught for the YAGP Finals in New York City.

An ABT Certified Teacher, Alex has successfully completed the American Ballet Theatre’s National Training Curriculum, Primary through Level 7.

In 2012, Alex founded Koltun Ballet Boston, where he continues to build, create, and share his vast expertise with the next generation of dancers. Under his direction, the school has earned numerous accolades, including Best Choreographer (YAGP 2018) and Outstanding School honors for five consecutive years.

As an accomplished dancer, teacher, and coach, Alex Lapshin remains deeply dedicated to preserving classical ballet traditions while nurturing a modern, innovative approach. His vision continues to inspire and shape the future of young dancers across the world.