Valentina Kozlova was born on August 26, 1957 in Moscow, Russia. From a young age, her mother recognized her talent and encouraged her to join a children's ballet company at the age of 7. Valentina quickly excelled in her training and at the age of 9, she was accepted into the prestigious Bolshoi Ballet School.
Valentina Kozlova studied at the Bolshoi Ballet School until 1973 when she joined the company as a member of the corps de ballet. Her talent was undeniable, and she was quickly promoted to a principle dancer in 1975. Valentina's career at the Bolshoi Ballet was marked by her lyrical and expressive performances, captivating audiences with her grace and skill.
In 1979, Valentina Kozlova made the bold decision to leave the Bolshoi Ballet and pursue new opportunities in the United States. She joined the New York City Ballet in 1983 as a principle dancer, a position she held until 1995. During her time at the New York City Ballet, Valentina continued to impress audiences with her technical precision and emotional depth in roles ranging from classical to contemporary.
In 1982, Valentina Kozlova made her Broadway debut in the revival of "On Your Toes," showcasing her versatility as a performer. She received rave reviews for her performance as Titania in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and returned to Moscow in 1991 and 1992 for special performances. Valentina also collaborated with choreographer Margo Sappington to form the touring company, Daring Project.
Valentina Kozlova was married to fellow dancer Leonid Kozlov from 1973 until 1985. Despite the demands of her career, Valentina has always made New York City her home base. In 2003, she fulfilled a lifelong dream by opening her own ballet school, the Valentina Kozlova Dance Conservatory.
Valentina Kozlova's impact on the world of dance extends far beyond her own performances. As the founder of the Valentina Kozlova International Ballet Competition, she has nurtured the talents of young dancers from around the world. Many of her private students have gone on to dance for esteemed companies such as the Boston Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, and the Cuban National Ballet.
Valentina Kozlova's dedication to her art, her unwavering passion for excellence, and her commitment to nurturing the next generation of dancers make her a true legend in the ballet world. Her legacy will continue to inspire and influence generations of dancers to come.