This week we are joined from the 2019 Vail Dance Festival by Julian MacKay, first soloist at the Mikhailovsky Theatre.  Born in Montana, he quickly discovered his passion for ballet as a young boy, moving to Russia to train at just 11 years old.  He went on to train at the Moscow State Ballet Academy for six years, graduating top of his class. He danced for 8 months at the Royal Ballet before returning to Russia to join the Mikhailovsky as a soloist at just 20 years old.  We talk with Julian about his fascinating journey through ballet curriculums in Russia, how the schools and companies work there, about his debut in the full-length Swan Lake with two weeks to prepare, and his first time at the Vail Dance Festival.

Conversations on Dance is brought to you by Yumiko (yumiko.com) and The Town of Vail.