Mikhail Baryshnikov

Admired for his grace and precision, Mikhail Baryshnikov is regarded as one of the greatest dancers of his time. Born in Riga, Latvia in 1948, he was highly regarded in the Soviet Union before he defected to Canada and eventually moving to the U.S. in search of greater creative freedom. Once in the West, he immediately began performing to great acclaim also appearing in films, television, and theater, winning Emmy Awards and an Oscar nomination. In 2004, he founded the Baryshnikov Arts Center shifting his focus toward contemporary dance and choreography. Updated 2007