Alexander Kalinin Russian Dance ’Trepak’ Nutcracker

Tropak or trepak is a traditional Ukrainian folk dance that spread throughout the Russian Empire. The tropak shares many musical and choreographic characteristics with the better known hopak. Both developed as Cossack social dances, performed at celebratory occasions. * Choreography By Alex Kalinin. He was born in Moscow, Russia and began his dancing career at the age of four with his father. He graduated from the prestigious Bolshoi Ballet Academy of Moscow. He has performed and toured as a soloist in over sixty countries with the most prestigious dance companies in the former Soviet Union. After immigrating to the United States in 1981, Mr. Kalinin has performed on stages from New York to Las Vegas, Reno, Australia and throughout Southern California. He has taught dance for over twenty-five years in US as well as abroad. He is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Kalinin Dance Company.