Natalya Butchko
Natalya Butchko was born in Fairfax, Virginia (USA). She started with ballet training at age of five at The Washington Ballet in Washington D.C. until 2010. From 2010 to 2012 she has trained privately in Washington D.C. with Elena Tenchikova and Dawei Zhang, from 2012 to 2014 with Fabrice Herrault and Isabelle Guerin in New York City. She received the 3rd Place Junior Category at the YAGP Philadelphia 2011 and Top 12 Pre-Competitive Category at the YAGP Paris 2011. In 2014 she received a scholarship to train at the Ballet Academy of the Vienna State Operawhere she graduated in 2016 and received a contract at the Vienna State Ballet. Since the 2022/23 season she has been promoted to demi-soloist of the Vienna State Ballet.
Her most important roles are Moyna in Lise in Frederick Ashton's »La Fille mal gardée«, Swanilda and Aurora, the dawn in Pierre Lacotteʼs »Coppélia«, Princess Florine in Martin Schläpfer's »The Sleeping Beauty«, Elena Tschernischova's »Giselle«, First Bridesmaid in Rudolf Nureyev’s »Don Quixote«, Odalisque in Manuel Legris’ »Le Corsaire«, Nubian Slave (soloist) in Legris’ »Sylvia«, Grand Pas Classique in Rudolf Nureyev’s »Raymonda« as well as parts in Jerome Robbins’ »The Concert«, Lucinda Childs' »Concerto«, Hans van Manen's »Four Schumann Pieces« and Heinz Spoerliʼs »Goldberg-Variationen«. Furthermore, she danced in works by George Balanchine, Edward Clug, John Cranko, Jorma Elo, William Forsythe, Kenneth MacMillan, John Neumeier, Eno Peci, Daniel Proietto and Martin Schläpfer.
In September 2023, Natalya Butchko was awarded the 2023 Sponsorship Prize from the Friends of the Vienna State Ballet.