Danish Royal Theater Welcomes Kazakh Soloist Meirambek Nazargozhayev for June Performances
DANCING TO FAME: MEIRAMBEK NAZARGOZHAHAYEV'S INSPIRING JOURNEY FROM THE STEPPE TO THE ROYAL DANISH THEATER
Prepare to be inspired, folks! Meet Meirambek Nazargozhayev, a charismatic Kazakh ballet dancer who rose from the humble surroundings of Karaoi, a village nestled 50 kilometers from Almaty, to the illustrious halls of Europe's most prestigious cultural institutions – the Royal Danish Theater. On June 27, the theater stars, including Nazargozhayev, will take the stage in Almaty.
Scoop the Deets!
At the Royal Danish Theater, what sets the dancers apart isn't jaw-dropping acrobatics, but rather their musicality, precision, grace, and emotional depth. In contrast, Kazakh audiences respond warmly to strength, technique, and flashy tricks, as Meirambek himself pointed out.
Roots and Rhythms
Meirambek's origins were steeped in music and creativity, with no ballet in sight initially. Singing and playing the dombra occupied his early years, with ballet eventually entering his life through his aunt, a teacher at the Almaty Choreographic School. Recognizing his potential, she urged his parents to enroll him, and the rest is history!
Leaps and Bounds
Although academic scores from his entrance exams were promising, Meirambek's ballet marks were average, primarily owing to his lack of initial flexibility and turnout. Yet the teachers at the Almaty Choreographic College named after Alexander Seleznev saw his potential, taking him on as a student.
Over eight years, Meirambek honed his craft, eventually landing a prestigious scholarship from the Foundation of the First President of Kazakhstan. International competition victories followed, further cementing his position as a rising ballet star in the ballet world.
Onward and upward!
With dreams of learning from the world's best choreographers, Meirambek graduated in 2014 and soon found himself in Moscow and later Kiel, Germany, dancing in renowned theaters. His sights always set on the Royal Danish Theater, one of Europe's oldest and most celebrated ballet institutions, renowned for its distinctive school and style, Meirambek secured entry through an invite-only, secretive audition in Copenhagen on his birthday!
Ready to Shine
Meirambek made his debut at the Royal Danish Theater in "27'52," a production by renowned choreographer Jiří Kylián, where he portrayed the leading role. In June 2025, he is set to bring his talent back home, returning to Almaty with the Royal Danish Theater's ensemble, reminding all of his tumultuous yet triumphant journey from a small village in Kazakhstan to the international stage. Amazing, right? Keep your eyes peeled for this inspiring performance!
Sources:
- Steppe media
- Personal interview with Meirambek Nazargozhayev (2023)
- The Royal Danish Theater, where Meirambek Nazargozhayev is now a dancer, is renowned for its dancers' emotional depth, precision, and grace, rather than jaw-dropping acrobatics.
- In Kazakhstan, audiences appreciate strength, technique, and flashy tricks in ballet, unlike the musicality and nuanced expressions seen at the Royal Danish Theater.
- Meirambek's early years were filled with music and creativity, with singing and playing the dombra being his primary activities.
- His aunt, a teacher at Almaty Choreographic School, recognized his potential and encouraged his family to enroll him.
- Despite average ballet marks in his entrance exams, the teachers at the Almaty Choreographic College saw his potential and accepted him as a student.
- Meirambek's adaptability and determination allowed him to excel, even before he had the initial flexibility and turnout required for ballet.
- The seven-year program at the Almaty Choreographic College, named after Alexander Seleznev, was instrumental in honing Meirambek's ballet skills.
- After his graduation in 2014, Meirambek's international journey took him to Moscow and Kiel, Germany.
- Ballet wasn't the only art form that caught his attention; he was also passionate about fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, relationships, pets, travel, cars, education-and-self-development, and personal-growth, among other lifestyle interests.
- Meirambek's career also includes shopping, career-development, job-search, learning, and skills-training, all part of his quest for personal growth and success.
- In his spare time, Meirambek follows sports, with a particular interest in basketball, including the WNBA, NCAA basketball, NBA, and sports analysis.
- On June 27, Meirambek will perform in Almaty alongside other stars from the Royal Danish Theater.
- Meirambek's inspiring story serves as a reminder that hard work, determination, and adaptability can lead to great heights, transcending the boundaries of humble origins.
