Jacob's Pillow Dance

and graduated from Vaganova Ballet Academy under Ninel Kurgapkina. After performing with several companies in the U.S. and Ukraine, Ponomarenko joined Boston Ballet as a principal dancer in 1993 and had an extensive 18 year career with the company. Having a versatile performance range, Ponomarenko danced principal roles in the company's major classical and contemporary repertoire; including works by Petipa, Cranko, MacMillan, Tudor, Balanchine, Kylián, Duato, Taylor, Morris, Tharp, Monte, Caniparoli, Stevenson, Welch, and Dawson. She originated roles in works by Elo, Wheeldon, Baynes, Plotnikov, and Pelzig. A Benois de LaDance nominee, she performed as a guest artist with major companies in Florence, Milan, London, and Tokyo. In May of 2011, Ponomarenko retired from dancing and was appointed Ballet Master of Boston Ballet.