After the term of National Artist for Dance and Ballet Philippines founder Alice Reyes ends on March 31, she will be replaced by Russian dancer and choreographer Mikhail “Misha” Martynyuk as artistic director.
The Board of Trustees of Ballet Philippines Foundation, Inc. announced the appointment last week. The board is headed by its chairman Antonio Ongsiako-Cojuangco.
BPFI said in a statement, “The Board of Trustees is grateful for her (Reyes) efforts in contributing to the success of Ballet Philippines’ golden season 2019-2020.”
Meanwhile, in a post on Facebook, BP said, “Ms. Reyes has steered the 50th season’s presentation and will finish her term as mutually agreed in March 2020… Ballet Philippines anticipates new heights as it moves into the 51st season.”
With the help of Eddie Elejar, Reyes founded the dance company in 1969 and served as its artistic director for 20 years until 1989. She returned to BP in 2017, replacing Paul Morales as artistic director.
Martynyuk will hold the position for two succeeding seasons, 51st and 52nd, beginning April 2020 to March 2022. Prior to his appointment, he has performed with Ballet Manila several times since 2012.
According to the Kremlin Palace website, he is an Honored Artist of the Russian Federation and a star dancer of The Kremlin Ballet theater, with extensive experience in theater and concert. He is the founder and artistic director of Boutique Studio Ballet, as well as his other ballet schools in Russia.