Artistic Director
Slawomir Woźniak
Slawomir Woźniak was born on 2 November 1967. His sister,
Iwona, who was a dancer, quickly recognized her brother’s abilities. In
1977-1986, he attended the Poznań
ballet school. He gained first stage experience partnering artists of Teatr
Wielki in Poznań
in the performances of Cinderella.
Slawomir Woźniak’s professional debut took place in 1986 at the Wroclaw Opera
where he danced the Prince in Cinderella
choreographed by Teresa Kujawa. Klara Kmitto recognized his talent and invited
him to work at that theatre right after school. He was employed there in
1986-1988. It was in Wroclaw
that he met his future wife, also a soloist of ballet company of Wroclaw Opera.
Their performance in Swan Lake
left an unforgettable impression on all those who had a chance to see it.
In 1988 he became a soloist and in 1989
the principal dancer of Teatr Wielki in Łódź. His first premiere
there was also Cinderella. Irina
Fokina, who prepared the spectacle, invited him to the USA where he appeared in the Nutcracker. On the stage in Łódź, he performed leading parts in classical and modern ballets. Among
others, he danced John in Lorca Massine’s Zorba
the Greek, the role which gained him the admiration of the audience in Łódź and Warsaw,
where he still successfully performs the part. It also brought him the
nomination of the French magazine Danse for “Revelation of the Year 1992”.
In 1991 he joined the ballet of the
National Opera in Warsaw
as a first soloist. From 2000 he has been the principal dancer of the company.
In Warsaw he performs all leading male parts and
also gives guest performances at many theatres in Poland and abroad. In 2000 Slawomir
Woźniak graduated from the Ballet Pedagogy at the Frederic Chopin Academy of
Music in Warsaw.
For the last five years he has conducted dance courses for young Americans
during the Summer Camps.
Together with Kathleen Arcierci, he won a bronze medal at the Third International
Ballet Competition in New York
in 1990 (gold medal was not awarded that year). In New York, Slawomir Woźniak received several
professional offers but he decided to return to the country.
Ballet Mistress
Irena Woźniak
Irena Woźniak has recently joined Ballet
& Friends in 2007 as Ballet Mistress after retirement from a successful
career as a soloist with the Warsaw National Opera House in Poland.
She started her ballet training at age
eleven in Gdansk, Poland
at the State Ballet School.
Irena graduated with high honors after performing and touring in many concerts
and galas throughout France
and Spain.
After graduation Irena received the position as Soloist at the Wroclaw Opera
House in Poland.
It was there that she met Slawomir Woźniak as they performed main roles
together such as Cinderella, Swan
Lake, and Giselle.
In 1988 Irena joined the Wielki Theatre in
Lodz, Poland
along side Slawomir where they both performed in all of the companies
Repertoires and Tours throughout Europe. Her
repertoire includes soloist and principal roles in Sheherezade and Gershwin’s
Night while touring throughout Germany
and Belgium.
In 1991 Irena joined the Warsaw National
Opera House until her recent retirement this last year. Irena is married to
Slawomir Woźniak, Artistic Director for Ballet & Friends and they have two
sons Slawomir Jr. and Michael.
Slawomir and Irena own and operate Master Ballet
Academy in Phoenix where she teaches her love and
passion for ballet to her many students.
