Biography
Principal Dancer, Mentor, Cultural Contributor
Denys Cherevychko is an internationally acclaimed Principal Dancer recognized for his rare combination of technical mastery, artistic depth, and fearless adaptability on stage.
His career spans more than 60 classical and contemporary works, international guest appearances, and collaborations with some of the most celebrated artists in ballet today.
Early Years and Training
Born in Donetsk, Ukraine, Denys’s path to ballet began with folk dance, introduced to him by his sister. Drawn to rhythm and storytelling of the movement, he discovered early the expressive power of dance. At six years old, he auditioned for Vadim Pisarev’s Ballet Academy despite the minimum age being seven. When told he was too young, he refused to leave until allowed to try. His determination secured him a place, setting the tone for a career defined by persistence.
At 11, following the sudden loss of his father, his family faced severe financial hardship. The Academy’s decision to grant him a full scholarship ensured that his training could continue — and gave Denys a lifelong sense of responsibility to honor that trust through his performances.
At 16, Denys won first prize at the Serge Lifar Competition in Kyiv, earning a scholarship to the Heinz Bosl Ballet Academy in Munich. There, under the teaching of the legendary Alexandr Prokofiev who also formed Irek Mukhamedov and Andris Liepa, he developed the philosophy that continues to guide his artistry: that ballet was more than just technical perfection—it was about presence, storytelling, and artistry.
“Everything you do should be beautiful. Even if you smoke — smoke gracefully. As an artist, every movement, every detail must be intentional.”
Denys knew quite early on that Prokofiev had an amazing reputation for getting the most out of any dancer who studied under his methods. Prokofiev encouraged Denys to only show the world the very best that he could offer, he would often say to his students
“We, dancers, are sculptors. We work with this big stone and we make small cuts until it’s a beautiful sculpture.”
For Denys it was Prokofiev’s constant commitment to the artistry of ballet that has heavily influenced how he performs today. The constant effort and dedication that Denys had put in during his time at Academy of Vadim Pisarev and under Prokofiev proved to be more than worth it. In 2006 Denys went on to sign a professional contract with Wiener Staatsballett
Career at the Vienna State Ballet
In 2006, Denys joined the Vienna State Ballet. He rose quickly through the company, promoted to Demi-Soloist in 2007, Soloist in 2009, and Principal Dancer in 2012. His career developed under three successive directors — Gyula Harangozó, Renato Zanella, and Manuel Legris — each shaping a distinct phase of his artistic growth.
Renowned for his adaptability, Denys has stepped into leading roles with only hours of preparation. One defining moment came in Roland Petit’s L’Arlésienne, which he performed without formal rehearsal. His interpretation was met with a rare ovation, the audience stamping their feet in appreciation.
Repertoire and Performances
Denys’s repertoire now spans over 60 works, from the great classical ballets to neoclassical and contemporary creations. His artistry is marked by range:
- the dramatic depth of Onegin (John Cranko),
- the explosive energy of Don Quixote (Rudolf Nureyev),
- the neoclassical precision of Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude (William Forsythe),
- the poetic expressiveness of Jewels (George Balanchine),
- the avant-garde athleticism of Eden|Eden (Wayne McGregor).
A major highlight of his career was performing Roland Petit’s Le Jeune Homme et la Mort in Florence with Alessandra Ferri, already a living legend of the ballet world. Another milestone was dancing Nureyev’s Don Quixote with the Paris Opera Ballet, marking his presence on one of ballet’s most prestigious stages.
As an international Guest Principal, Denys has performed worldwide, from Tokyo to Paris, London to New York. He has partnered with the greatest artists including Iana Salenko, Maia Makhateli, Maria Kochetkova, Mayara Magri, or Nikisha Fogo, with whom he danced in the original cast of Manuel Legris’s Sylvia.
Awards and Recognition
Denys has received multiple international awards, including gold and silver medals at the Varna, Jackson, and Korea competitions. He was also nominated for the Prix Benois de la Danse, one of ballet’s most prestigious honors.
Beyond the Stage
Denys’s contribution to the art form extends beyond performance. He is the founder of Balance by Cherevychko, the category-defining house of performance couture for men in motion, born from the lived intelligence of the stage. Its garments fuse elegance and endurance, making presence a second skin for dancers worldwide.
Through Core de Ballet’s Mentor Program, he works with young dancers, emphasizing not only technique but the lifelong discipline and artistry required to sustain a career in ballet.
Artistic Philosophy
For Denys, ballet — like design — must be intentional. Every line and every detail must serve presence, whether on stage or in motion.
This philosophy drives his refusal to approach roles as repetition. Each character — whether Basilio, Siegfried, or Albrecht — must be distinct, lived-in, and emotionally truthful.
“Ballet is storytelling. I don’t want the audience to admire technique — I want them to feel something. Even someone who has never seen ballet should understand the emotions on stage. If I can reach them, I’ve done my job.”
Current Work
Today, Denys continues to perform internationally as Guest Principal while expanding his artistic activities. He is developing collaborations with choreographers, exploring new creations, and deepening his mentorship of emerging talent.
For him, legacy lies not only in the roles he has danced, but in the culture he helps shape — from the stage to the studio, and into the daily reality of dancers whose artistry deserves the same standard of performance couture for men in motion.
Follow Denys Cherevychko
🌍 www.denyscherevychko.com
📸 Instagram: @cherevychko_denys
