Irina Malyshko

My professional journey

My name is Irina Malyshko. I am a professional ballet dancer and choreographer with 21 years of experience working with children. In my classes, I combine classical choreographic training, rhythmic gymnastics, and knowledge of psychology, anatomy and physiology to help students develop technique, expressiveness and confidence in movement.

Education and stage career

In 2006, I graduated from the Astrakhan College of Culture with a qualification as a ballet dancer. In 2013, I graduated from the Modern University for the Humanities with a degree in Psychology.

My professional stage career began in 2005 at the Astrakhan Opera and Ballet Theatre. From 2010 to 2011, I was a ballet soloist at the Volgograd State Theatre Tsaritsyn Opera. In 2011, I returned to the Astrakhan Opera and Ballet Theatre as a soloist. Since 2012, I have also worked as a ballet dancer with the Astrakhan State Song and Dance Ensemble.

Teaching experience

Alongside my stage career, I worked as a choreography teacher at the ballet studio of the Astrakhan Opera and Ballet Theatre. The studio's students took part in the theatre's repertory productions.

From 2007 to 2009, I worked as a choreographer at the Caprice classical dance studio of the Victoria Cultural Centre at Astrakhangazprom. From 2007 to 2024, I was the choreographer of the Gioconda Folk Contemporary Dance Ensemble.

Rhythmic gymnastics

Since 2020, I have worked as a choreographer for the Astrakhan Region rhythmic gymnastics team. During this time, the team has repeatedly won and placed at national competitions and championships.

Since 2024, I have worked as a choreographer at the Academy of the First gymnastics centre and as part of the MFSOO RECORD team. I have also participated as a choreographer in training camps in Samara, Moscow, Sochi and Smolensk.

Professional development

I completed professional development courses taught by M. A. Protasova and D. A. Kablukov, training at the Dance Help School of Professional Excellence in the Performing Arts, and the course “Next-Generation Coach: From Cell Biochemistry to Movement Biomechanics” led by Irina Anatolyevna Stepanik, Candidate of Medical Sciences.

I attended a master class by People's Artist of Russia Alexander Alexandrovich Tikhonov. From 7 to 15 April 2025, I trained at the Republican Olympic Training Centre for Rhythmic Gymnastics in Minsk. I also took part in the national scientific and practical conference “Health in Ballet” at the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet.

In my work with students, I focus not only on precision of movement but also on expressiveness, confidence, discipline and mindful awareness of the body.

Interview

In an interview with Sky Grace, Irina Malyshko discusses her choreography work at the Academy of the Firsts training camp and how she works with coaches. Read the interview