Daniel has choreographed over 25 original pieces for competitions, galas, and film.
Drawing from his background as a leading soloist with the Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg under the direction of Boris Eifman, as a graduate of the Moscow State Academy of Choreography (Bolshoi Ballet Academy), and as a second soloist with Boston Ballet, working with some of the world's leading choreographers, Daniel creates original works that seek to unfurl the individualities of each dancer.
In collaboration with Osipova Ballet Academy in Mountain View, CA, his works have earned their dancers prestigious awards, including Top 12 at the NYC Finals, Youth Grand Prix, and 1st and 2nd places in small and large ensembles (Youth America Grand Prix), as well as gold, silver, and bronze awards in various categories (California Dance Classics).
La Volonté du Roi was inspired by Francine Lancelot's work with Rudolf Nureyev at Paris Opera Ballet. With the guidance of masterful historical dance consultant Ken Pierce, La Volonté du Roi draws on 17th- and 18th-century dances as codified in works such as Pierre Rameau’s Le maître à danser, among others. In researching this epoch and the dancing style that served as the basis to forthcoming centuries of classical and later, contemporary dance, I found myself engaging with the following questions: What is the essence of historical dance, and consequently, of classical ballet? How did Louis XIV truly dance and carry himself? If we were to see his dancing today, what would we think? How would the founder of classical ballet view the world today?
Dancers: Ekaterina Pichkova, Valerie Sokolenko, Aria Gao, Emily Ung, Halle Fairbanks, Jane Reall, Lydia Petlick, Minna Ko, Nyla Craig, Ruihan Liu, Sheina Stesin, Yuki Kishida, Lia Zeng, Sherilyn Chen, Valerie Jia, Yukari Dozono — Osipova Ballet Academy
Photo credits: LK Studio; Edits by Souheil Michael Khoury
Music Edits: Riva Rubin