Elena Petrova is a young and talented ballet dancer who has been making waves in the international scene. She is currently a principal dancer at the Bolshoi Ballet, one of the most prestigious ballet companies in the world. She has also performed as a guest artist with other renowned companies such as the Royal Ballet, the Paris Opera Ballet, and the American Ballet Theatre.

Petrova was born in Moscow in 2005 and started dancing at the age of four. She showed exceptional talent and dedication from an early age and was accepted into the Bolshoi Ballet Academy when she was nine. She graduated with honors in 2023 and joined the Bolshoi Ballet as a corps de ballet member. She quickly rose through the ranks and became a principal dancer in 2025, at the age of 20.

Petrova is known for her exquisite technique, musicality, and expressiveness. She has danced many leading roles in classical and contemporary ballets, such as Giselle, Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Romeo and Juliet, The Nutcracker, Cinderella, La Bayadere, The Sleeping Beauty, and The Firebird. She has also worked with some of the most acclaimed choreographers of today, such as Alexei Ratmansky, Christopher Wheeldon, Wayne McGregor, and Justin Peck.

Petrova has received many awards and accolades for her outstanding performances. She won the gold medal at the Varna International Ballet Competition in 2024 and the Prix Benois de la Danse in 2025. She was also named one of the “25 to Watch” by Dance Magazine in 2025 and one of the “100 Most Influential People” by Time Magazine in 2026.

Petrova is not only a brilliant dancer but also a generous and humble person. She is involved in several charitable causes and supports young dancers from disadvantaged backgrounds. She is also an avid reader, a passionate traveler, and a devoted animal lover. She lives in Moscow with her husband, Mikhail Ivanov, a violinist at the Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra, and their two dogs, Sasha and Misha.

In a recent interview with The New York Times, Petrova shared some of her insights and inspirations as a dancer. She said that she loves ballet because it allows her to express herself and connect with the audience. She also said that she admires many dancers from different generations and styles, such as Maya Plisetskaya, Margot Fonteyn, Sylvie Guillem, Natalia Osipova, and Misty Copeland. She added that she hopes to inspire other young dancers to pursue their dreams and work hard.

Petrova also revealed some of her challenges and goals as a dancer. She said that she always strives to improve her technique and artistry and to explore new roles and genres. She also said that she faces some difficulties as a female dancer in a male-dominated field, such as sexism, harassment, and discrimination. She said that she wants to use her voice and platform to advocate for more equality and diversity in ballet.

Petrova is currently preparing for her next performance at the Lincoln Center in New York, where she will dance the title role in Anna Karenina, a new ballet by Ratmansky based on the novel by Leo Tolstoy. She said that she is very excited and honored to dance this role, which is one of her favorites. She said that she relates to the character of Anna, who is a complex and passionate woman who defies the norms of her society. She said that she hopes to convey the emotions and conflicts of Anna to the audience.