Galina Samsova

Born in Stalingrad, Galina Samsova began her career with Ukrainian ballet in Kiev. She emigrated but has since returned as a guest artist to dance in Swan Lake and to undertake research for SWRB's production. She joined the National Ballet of Canada and made her West European debut in a French production of Cinderella, for which she won a gold medal in the Paris International Dance Festival. She then joined London Festival Ballet as a Principal. Later she and André Prokovsky formed their own small company, the New London Ballet, which toured in five continents with a repertory consisting mostly of specially created works. She first danced as a guest with SWRB in 1978 and joined as a Principal and teacher in 1980. Her roles included Lise (La Fille mal gardée), the title roles in Giselle, Raymonda Act III and Papillon, Eldest Sister (Las Hermanas), the Bride (La Fête étrange) and roles in Concerto and Les Sylphides. In 1980 she produced the grand pas from Paquita for the Company, dancing the leading role. In 1981 she collaborated with Peter Wright on Swan Lake, also dancing Odette / Odile at the first performance. She created roles in MacMillan'sQuartet, Prokovsky's Vocalise Opus 34 and the Woman in Seymour's Intimate Letters. She appeared as Carabosse in SWRB's first performance of its current production of The Sleeping Beauty. She was Artistic Director of Scottish Ballet.