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.