Daniil Simkin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Daniil Simkin
|
|
|---|---|
Simkin in Don Quixote in 2012
|
|
| Born | 12 October 1987 |
| Occupation | Ballet dancer |
| Years active | 2006–present |
| Former groups | Vienna State Ballet American Ballet Theatre Berlin State Ballet |
Daniil Simkin (born 12 October 1987) is a famous ballet dancer and a business owner. He was born in Novosibirsk, Russia. Daniil is known for his amazing dance skills and how he shines on stage. He used to be a main dancer with both the American Ballet Theatre and the Berlin State Ballet. Today, Daniil lives in New York and has started his own company called Studio Simkin.
Contents
About Daniil Simkin
Daniil Simkin is a top ballet dancer who performs all over the world. He dances the main parts in both classic and modern ballet shows. Many people see him as one of the best male ballet dancers today.
Daniil became well-known early on because of his success in dance competitions and his presence on social media. He likes to explore different types of dance and art. In 2021, he created Studio Simkin. This company helps share dance using new digital ways.
Daniil looks up to famous dancers like Mikhail Baryshnikov, Rudolf Nureyev, and his father, Dmitrij Simkin. He once said he would combine their best qualities to make the "perfect male ballet dancer." Some French newspapers have even called him "the new Baryshnikov."
Early Life and Dance Training
Daniil Simkin was born in Novosibirsk, Russia. He grew up in Wiesbaden, Germany. His parents, Dmitrij Simkin and Olga Aleksandrova, were also ballet dancers. They met while dancing at the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow. His half-brother, Anton Alexandrov, also danced ballet and is now a teacher.
Daniil learned ballet privately from his mother. He was her first student. He also went to a regular school in Wiesbaden. He finished his studies there, which allowed him to go to university. While he was a student, he performed with Ballet Wiesbaden from 1993 to 2006.
Dance Career Highlights
In 2006, Daniil won a Senior Gold Medal at the USA International Ballet Competition. After that, he was invited to perform in special shows called "Stars of the 21st Century" in Paris and New York. In 2006, he joined the Vienna State Ballet. He quickly became a first soloist in 2007.
In 2008, Daniil joined the American Ballet Theatre (ABT) as a soloist. He performed many important roles there. A critic from The New York Times once said he was "a dancer happiest in the air."
Daniil became a main dancer at ABT in December 2012. Over the next few years, he danced lead roles in many famous ballets. These included Don Quixote, Prodigal Son, and Swan Lake. He also worked with well-known choreographers like George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins. The New York Times noted how Daniil's musicality allowed him to show every dance step clearly. W Magazine praised his "space spanning leaps" and amazing skill.
In 2018, Daniil also became a main dancer with the Berlin State Ballet. He kept his role at ABT at the same time. He said this move would let him try more modern European dances. He wanted to dance both new and classical works. Daniil also likes electronic music and thought Berlin's club scene could inspire ballet.
In 2021, Daniil was the first teacher on a new online platform called "Dance-Masterclass." He taught about pirouettes and turns. He also helped create an interview with the famous ballerina Sylvie Guillem for the platform.
International Fame
One of Daniil's most famous roles is Basil in Don Quixote. He has performed this role since he was 19, all over the world. He was the first dancer to ever do three "540s" (a type of turn) in a row!
Daniil has many fans in Japan. He has been on the cover of major Japanese magazines. He also loves anime and Japanese culture. He once said that his use of different languages is like his identity. He speaks Russian, English, German, and a little French. He feels like he's not perfect in any one language, and that's similar to his national and personal identity.
Daniil has performed in many countries across six continents. He has also put on his own ballet shows in Greece and Japan. He has danced at famous theaters around the world. These include the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow and the Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg.
Social Media and Dance
Daniil Simkin uses social media to connect directly with his audience. He wants to make ballet easier for more people to enjoy. He started being active on social media early in his career.
Today, you can find him on Instagram at @daniil. He also has another page, @daniilsees, where he shares his personal photos. In 2015, The New York Times wrote about his photos of dancers backstage. He said, "Our goal is to make it look simple, natural... But to make it look like that, we sacrifice our lives."
Daniil believes that the internet helps dancers create their own unique presence. He says, "Being a good dancer isn't always enough." But he still thinks performing on stage is the most important test. He has noticed that male dance techniques are getting better and faster. He is excited to see where ballet will go next.
Special Dance Projects
Daniil Simkin also creates his own dance projects. These projects explore new ways to present dance. This includes using virtual reality, immersive shows, and new dance films. These projects let Daniil be involved in every part of the creative process. He also helps with the business side and raising money.
- Intensio (2015): This show was made with the Joyce Theater in New York. It included different dance pieces. One piece was the first ballet ever to use video projections that changed in real-time with the dance. It premiered in July 2015 and toured to other cities.
- Falls the Shadow (2017): This was a special dance show at the Guggenheim Museum in New York. It combined dance with other art forms. Daniil's father, Dmitrij Simkin, helped with the video design. The costumes were made by Dior.
- Diorama (2020): This was a dance film made during the pandemic. Daniil worked with Maria Kochetkova on it. It was described as "dark, and strange—a surreal and bizarre chase." The film won an award in 2021.
Studio Simkin
In 2021, Daniil founded his company, Studio Simkin. The company aims to create new dance opportunities for the future. They want to make high-quality and artistic dance shows. Studio Simkin encourages ballet to grow in the digital world and find new ways to be seen. These projects promote dance as an art form. They also encourage working together and trying new things.
Media Projects
- Diorama [1]
- Dance-Masterclass - Daniil Simkin [2]
- Dance-Masterclass - Interview with Silvie Guillem (co-produced by Simkin) [3]
- Lenski Variation - Daniil Simkin [4]
- Daniil Simkin and Maria Kochetkova in Don Quixote [5]
- Simkin and the City [6]
- Simkin and the Quarantine [7]
- aROUND - Olga Aleksandrova and Daniil Simkin
- Simkin vs. Simkin - Dmitrij and Daniil Simkin
Awards and Recognition
Daniil Simkin has won many awards throughout his career:
- 2000: First Prize, International Ballet Competition St. Pölten, Austria
- 2001: First Prize, Fourth International Ballet Competition, Vienna
- 2002: First Prize, Nyon Ballet Competition, Nyon, Switzerland
- 2003: First Prize Junior, Prix Grande-Duchesse Maria Teresa, Luxembourg
- 2004: Grand Prix, Fifth International Ballet Competition, Vienna
- 2004: First Prize Senior, "Mikhail Baryshnikov" for best male dancer, Perm, Russia
- 2004: First Prize and gold medal, 21st International Ballet Competition, Varna
- 2005: Gloria Grand Prix, International Ballet Competition, Helsinki
- 2006: Men's Senior Gold Medal, USA International Ballet Competition, Jackson
See also
In Spanish: Daniil Simkin para niños
