Julia Kulakova, performing artist, choreographer, artistic director of Bahar Dance Ensemble received her education in Stanislavskii Method acting in Russia, in Moscow’s Institute of Culture. She worked in both, classical and avant-garde theater on Russian stage, with the highlights at Moscow State Variety Theater and The State Concert Hall “Russia”. Her unique dance style blends classical Vaganova ballet technique with Ballroom, Russian Gypsy, Central Asian, Bollywood, Balkan and Belly dance. Julia solos were featured by PBS, NBC, Summer Stage at Delacorte Theater, New York Fashion Week, and Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, among many others. She performs solos and choreographs for Bahar Dance Ensemble for various projects, including NY Persian Parade, Gypsy Festival, NY Fashion Week and the United Nations’ Indian Club Galas. The Observer says, “...with Ms. Kulakova swirling and simultaneously tugging at the emotions of the audience, the night was one to be remembered.”
Bahar Dance Ensemble is a collective of performers, scholars, and students of world dance and culture. We explore the dances of Silk Road, India, and the Middle East. We investigate how the rich traditions preserved in movement and gestures relate to and inform our contemporary global sensibilities. Bahar Dance Ensemble’s Persian program, choreographed by Julia Kulakova had been featured at the annual NY Persian Parade along Madison Avenue for 9 consecutive years. The other notable performances and venues include, among others, United Nations’ Indian Club Gala, Indian Consulate NY, FIT’s International Dance and Music Festival, NY Fashion Week, Tribeca Arts Center, Masters Theater, and Symphony Space.
We aim to express the ancient world archetypes as well as nuances of traditional cultures as we know that we are standing on the shoulders of the giants who came before us – the ancient cultures of the world.
