Elena Poznjak-Kõlar

Joined the Vanemuine Theatre in 1955

Born
24.11.1936, Uritsk, Leningrad region, Russia

Education
In 1955 graduated from Tallinn Choreography School (under Liia Leetmaa)

Professional experience
Has been working at the Vanemuine Theatre since 1955, is a long-time ballet soloist and director’s assistant, has choreographed operettas
Has also been a rehearsal instructor since 1970
In 1988 was a ballet teacher at the Olomouc Oldřich Stibor Theatre in Czechoslovakia
In 1990 was the choreographer for the Kaunas State Musical Theatre’s (Lithuania) production of P. Abraham’s Ball at the Savoy
Has performed in Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, India, Sri Lanka, Sweden and elsewhere
Works as a ballet teacher; is a founder and head of the Vanemuine Dance and Ballet School

Roles performed
Colombina (The Bronze Horseman, Glière 1955); Clara (The Nutcracker, Tchaikovsky 1955); Esmeralda (Esmeralda, Pugni, Drigo and Vassilenko 1957); Tiina (Tiina, Auster 1958 and 1984, also Tiina’s mother); Anitra and Ingrid (Peer Gynt, music by Grieg 1959); Daughter (Kratt, Tubin 1961); Jeanne d’Arc and Agnes Sorel (Jeanne d’Arc, Peyko 1962); Muse (Rhapsody of a Theme of Paganini, music by Rachmaninoff 1963); Shireen (The Legend of Love, Melikov 1964); Anna (The Blue Danube, Strauss 1965); Galatea (Daughter of the Sea, Sugár 1965); The Young Girl (Ballet miniatures: The Spirit of the Rose, music by Weber 1966), The Nightingale (The Nightingale, Stravinsky 1967); soloist (Kontrastid: Kontsert valges and Kontsert mustas, music by Bach; Jazz, music by Brubeck 1967); The Swallow (Doktor Ai-ai-ai, Morozov 1968); The Princess (The Wooden Prince, Bartók 1969); Eula’s mother (Maalid: Chicago, music by Rodgers 1969); Ester (Romeo, Julia ja pimedus, Auster 1970); Giselle (Giselle, Adam 1970); donna Anna (Miniatures: Don Juan, music by R. Strauss 1970); Nele (Miniatures: Till Eulenspigel, music by R. Strauss 1970); Hämarik (Koit ja Hämarik, music by Eller 1971); Iréne (Mont Valérien, Kuulberg 1972); Piret (Merineitsi, Põldmäe 1974); soloist (Chopiniana, 1974); Aysha (Seven Beauties, Gara Garayev 1974); White Lady of the Camellias (Portraits: The Lady of the Camellias, music by Liszt 1975); May Bellfort (Portraits: Jane Avril, French chansons and music by Stravinsky 1975); soloist (A Man and A Night: The Furies and Ancient Dwellers, Eespere 1979); Zemfira, Lady at the Ball and Mariula (Zemfira, Kogan 1981); soloist (Benefiss, music by Mozart, da Falla, Jones and others 1983); Woman (Elegie, music by Martinů 1988); Dancer at the Inn (Carmen, Bizet 1991); Gudule (Esmeralda, Pugni, Drigo and Vassilenko 1992); The Blind Woman (Going Inside a Picture (Pildi sisse minek): The Rite of Spring, Stravinsky 1997).

Awards
1968 Estonian Theatre Association award for lead in Stravinsky’s The Nightingale
1981 Estonian Theatre Association award for lead in Kogan’s “Sulamit” (Zemfira)
1984 Theatre Award for the role of Tiina in the ballet of the same name by Auster
1969 awarded the title of Meritorious Artist of the ESSR
1983 awarded the title of People’s Artist of the ESSR
2006 Annual Award of the Cultural Endowment of Tartu
2010 Estonian Theatre Union’s Rahel Olbrei Prize
2010 Order of the White Star, Fifth Class
2012 Medal of Tartu