She would become one of the greatest prima ballerinas of all times, but even at age 23, when Nina Ananiashvili competed in Jackson, she set a mark few would reach in seven successive USA International Ballet Competitions. In commemoration of the 1986 USA IBC, which drew Ananiashvili, Andris Liepa and Vadim Pisarev as the first dancers from the former U.S.S.R. to compete in America, Ananiashvili will return to Jackson July 16, 2016 for the Grand Prix Reunion Gala, as guest artist, performing with the State Ballet of Georgia, which she serves as artistic director.

“Nina not only won the first Grand Prix award in 1986 but she also won the hearts of Jackson and USA IBC audiences. We are thrilled to see her return to dance on the stage of Thalia Mara Hall and to have the State Ballet of Georgia performing the same evening,” Mona Nicholas, executive director, states. A master class and community demonstration also will be part of the Grand Prix Reunion Gala weekend.

Ananiashvili will dance the role of Marguerite in Marguerite and Armand, and the State Ballet of Georgia will perform Concerto Barocco and Sagalobeli.

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