ALEXANDER GAMAYUNOV
Soloist

“Alexander Gamayunov captures the mystical essence of Sarastro, Pamina's father, while swirling majestically in a challenging full length saffron velvet robe."
– Times Colonist, 2004

Alexander Gamayunov began dancing in 1982, taking ballroom dancing lessons until 1985, when he started training with the National Ballet School of Ukraine in Kiev. He joined the Kiev Ballet company in 1993 and was a principal dancer when he left in 2001. At that time he moved to Canada to join the Royal Winnipeg Ballet as a member of the corps de ballet. Gamayunov was promoted to second soloist in 2003 and then to soloist for the 2005/06 season.

During his six years with the RWB, Gamayunov has performed various roles which include ‘Edouard’ in Nutcracker, ‘Prince Charmant’ in The Sleeping Beauty, ‘Prince Siegfried’ in Swan Lake, ‘Paris’ in Rudi van Dantzig’s Romeo & Juliet, and ‘Jamie Paul’ in The Ecstasy of Rita Joe. He has also performed in Balanchine’s Allegro Brillante and Kylián’s Symphony in D along with Giselle, Miroirs and Carmina Burana.

Mark Godden choreographed the lead role of ‘Sarastro’ on Gamayunov for his world premiere production The Magic Flute, a ballet based on Mozart’s famous opera.

For the 2006/07 season, Gamayunov brought ‘Sarastro’ back to life when the Company remounted Godden’s production in Winnipeg. He also took on the lead role in Godden’s Dracula when the RWB was on tour in British Columbia and Alberta. Other roles he performed last season include ‘Crocodile’ in Jorden Morris’ Peter Pan and the comical ‘Penguin’ in Val Caniparoli’s A Cinderella Story.

In 2003, Gamayunov performed with Principal Dancer Tara Birtwhistle, Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer and Charlotte Church for the Holiday Spectacular “A Royal Christmas,” which toured extensively throughout Canada and the United States. Alexander holds a Masters Degree for teaching and choreography, which he received from the National University of Culture and Art in 1999.

Gamayunov will begin this season by dancing the role of ‘Zuñiga’ in Mauricio Wainrot’s Carmen, The Passion.

“Alexander Gamayunov gives Sarastro a sorcerer's presence. "
– The Toronto Star, 2003

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