Vladimir Vasiliev (dancer) Vladimir Vasiliev (dancer) Vladimir Viktorovich Vasiliev (Russian: Влади́мир Ви́кторович Васи́льев), (born April 18, 1940) is a Russian ballet dancer and choreographer from Moscow, Russia. He was a principal dancer with the Bolshoi Ballet and its director from 1995 to 2000. He was best known for his role of Spartacus and his powerful leaps and turns. Vladimir Vasiliev was named "God of the dance" and is regarded as a classical dancer on the same level as Rudolf Nureyev and Mikhail Baryshnikov. At the height of their careers, Vladimir Vasiliev and Ekaterina Maximova were the golden couple of Russian ballet. Vladimir Vasiliev
American National Ballet in Berlin, the Nashville Ballet, San Diego City Ballet, and the Columbus Ballet. After a year of guesting appearances he accepted the post as the Associate Director of the Pacific Festival Ballet, where he created ten new works and danced principal and leading roles. After two years as Associate Director, Maldonado moved to Duluth, Minnesota, and founded the American National Ballet, where he created 45 additional works. Maldonado was celebrated by "The Tribune" and critically acclaimed for his “Innovative” works, and was considered “one to watch for”. Under his direction, the American National Ballet held a Los Angeles debut and