Today, Aydai, the leading soloist, visited the editorial office of Kaktus.media.
Beginning of a Ballet Career
Aydai Akylbekova was born in Kyzyl-Kiya. Inspired by her mother, a professional gymnast, she began studying ballet at the age of six.“My mom and I went to the school where the brilliant Reina Chokoeva received us. I passed the audition, but I was too small, and my mom decided not to leave me in a foreign city. Later, we moved to Bishkek, where I began studying at the choreographic school,” Aydai recalls.
Laughing, she shares that at first, she didn't quite understand what ballet was, but by the sixth grade, she was fully immersed in the art of dance.
“I wanted not just to dance but to become a real professional!” she remembers.
Aydai achieved success, becoming a diploma winner at the international competition "Orleu" in 2008 and receiving the presidential scholarship "Prelude" in 2009.
Even then, she performed on the main stage of the country at the Kyrgyz State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater named after Maldybaev.
“From the second year, we were actively involved in performances. Some danced in the corps de ballet, while I was entrusted with a role in 'La Bayadère.' I remember that not everyone took it seriously since I was so small,” she says.
Aydai also graduated from the conservatory.
“I was constantly learning, striving for perfection,” she adds.
International Achievements
The year 2014 became a new milestone in Aydai's career.“We went to London to shoot a program about ballet. It was a real studio with professional linoleum and 3D decorations. In this project, I performed the role of Vis Aramin in the ballet of the same name with the Persian Ballet,” she recounts.
Later, Aydai was accepted into the Persian Ballet, where she still serves as a prima ballerina.
She decided to broaden her horizons and joined the Russian National Ballet under the direction of Sergey Radchenko.
“I was already married to Nursultan Almambetov, also a ballet artist. We toured together,” Aydai shares. “As part of the Russian National Ballet, we went on a tour of the USA.”
During the tours, they staged classic ballets: “Cinderella,” “Swan Lake,” “The Nutcracker,” “Sleeping Beauty.” We were offered to stay in the USA, but we had other plans,” she recounts.
Becoming a soloist with the Moscow City Ballet, Aydai returned to her native theater to perform leading roles with top dancers.
“I danced with Talant Osmонов, a laureate of international competitions, and with Marat Sadykov. For example, I performed Kitri in 'Don Quixote' and a pas de deux in 'Giselle.' This was one of my favorite dances,” she shares.
Then, with her husband, they joined the troupe of the "St. Petersburg Ballet of Classical Traditions on the Neva."
“There I gained unique experience working with high-class masters like Oksana Bondareva and Alexey Popov,” Aydai adds.
She also managed to start a family and became a mother of twin daughters. Surprisingly, just six months after giving birth, Aydai returned to the stage.
“It was difficult,” she recalls. “But the support of my husband and my love for the profession helped me.”
More than Just Dance
However, her achievements do not end there. Aydai decided to create her own ballet inspired by Mel Gibson's film "Braveheart."
“I watched this film as a child and was inspired. It’s a story about the struggle for freedom and love, and I wanted to tell it in the language of dance, making it more optimistic,” Aydai says.
Thus, the one-act ballet "Braveheart" was born, which received positive feedback from audiences and colleagues.
“I already knew then that this was not the end. Now I can devote more time to this idea. The libretto is written, and work is underway on the music and decorations. I hope to soon present my work not only as a dancer but also as a choreographer,” Aydai adds, sharing her ambitious plans for the future.
Author of the material — Natalia Timirbaeva.
