Kurgapkina, Ninel (1929–)

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Kurgapkina, Ninel (1929–)

Soviet ballet dancer. Name variations: Ninel Alexandrovna Kurgapkina. Born Feb 13, 1929, in Leningrad, Russia; studied with Agrippina Vaganova.

A leading prima ballerina with the Kirov Ballet for 25 years, joined the Kirov (1947), where she was noted for performances in Russian classics as well as Western European classics, including Giselle and Swan Lake; appointed director of the Vaganova School (1972).