Kira Ivanovsky brings the experience of a distinguished ballet career to her company. Born in Russia and trained in France with the renowned teachers, Maria Nevelska and Lubov Egorova, Kira began her career at age seventeen when the celebrated ballerina Vera Nemchinova invited her to join her company. After a tour through all of Italy, Nemchinova's company disbanded and Kira joined Tournee Barre, embarking on another tour with Roman Jasinski as her partner and performing throughout France. More invitations led to performing with other companies such as the Paris-based contemporary ballet troupe of Boris Kniazeff and later, the prestigious Ballet Russes de Monte Carlo, under the direction of Col. de Basil. With this company, Kira toured France, England and Holland, performing in many works by the distinguished choreographer Boris Romanoff. While dancing with Ballet Russes, Kira met her future husband, Boris Lissanevitch, a former Diaghilev dancer. Later, she and Boris toured England with Max Reinhardt's The Miracle, with choreography by the legendary Leonid Massine, who had also been best man at their wedding. Eventually, Kira and Boris concertized, performing in Paris and then touring through the Far East, often dancing before heads of state. Kira's credits also include three films, Le Rosier de Mme. Husson, L'Aiglon, and Garden of Alla. During World War II, Kira remained in the Far East with her husband, dancing, choreographing, teaching and studying the art of East Indian dance. After the war ended, Kira and Boris parted ways when Kira chose to live in the United States. Settling in New London, Connecticut, she opened her own ballet school and also taught for the New London Junior College. After her second marriage to linguist Donat lvanovsky, Kira came to the Monterey Peninsula. Here she opened Peninsula Ballet Center, eventually expanding it to include the Ballet Fantasque.
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