Sławomir Woźniak

Sławomir Woźniak was born on 2 November 1967. His sister, Iwona, who was a dancer, quickly recognized her brother's abilities. In 1977-1986, he attended the Poznań ballet school. He gained first stage experience partnering artists of Teatr Wielki in Poznań in the performances of Cinderella. Sławomir Woźniak's professional debut took place in 1986 at the Wrocław Opera where he danced the Prince in Cinderella choreographed by Teresa Kujawa. Klara Kmitto recognized his talent and invited him to work at that theatre right after school. He was employed there in 1986-1988. It was in Wrocław that he met his future wife, also a soloist of the ballet company of Wrocław Opera. Their performance in Swan Lake left unforgettable impression on all those who had a chance to see it.

In 1988 he became a soloist and in 1989 the principal dancer of the Teatr Wielki in Łódź. His first premiere there was also Cinderella. Irina Fokina, who prepared the spectacle, invited him to the USA where he appeared in the Nutcracker. On the stage in Łódź, he performed leading parts in classical and modern ballets. Among others, he danced John in Lorca Massine's Zorba the Greek, the role which gained him the admiration of the audience in Łódź and Warsaw, where he still successfully performs the part. It also brought him the nomination of the French magazine Danse for "Revelation of the Year 1992".

In 1991 he joined the ballet of the National Opera in Warsaw as a first soloist. From 2000 he has been the principal dancer of the company. In Warsaw he performs all leading male parts and also gives guest performances at many theatres in Poland and abroad. In 2000 Sławomir Woźniak graduated from the Ballet Pedagogy at the Frederic Chopin Academy of Music in Warsaw. For the last five years he has conducted dance courses for young Americans during the Summer Camps.

Together with Kathleen Arcieri, he won a bronze medal at the Third International Ballet Competition in New York in 1990 (gold medal was not awarded that year). In New York, Sławomir Woźniak received several professional offers but he decided to return to the country.

In 1991, on the occasion of International Day of Dance (29 April), he was awarded the Wójcikowski's Medal. It is an award for most-talented dancers of the young generation promising great artistic achievements. He is also a recipient of The Wyspiański Young Artists' Award (1991) in dance category, the award given every year to exceptional young artists.

Two years later, in 1993, he won a bronze medal at the First World Ballet Competition in Nagoya (gold medal was not awarded to men that year). Sławomir Woźniak's partner was Beata Więch.

As a choreographer, Sławomir Woźniak debuted with a ballet Only Love to Albinoni's Adagio. In 2001 he worked with Emil Wesołowski on Sacred Spring and in 2005 he choreographed Comi*-Comedy staged as the third part of the ballet evening Dance According to Men. Although he is still very active as a dancer, he also develops his choreographic talents which start gaining him the respect and admiration of the audience and critics.