Lirena
Donation protected
Generations of dancers have been inspired by the teaching, choreography and staging of ballets by Lirena Branitski (1940-2022). She emigrated to MN from the USSR in 1980 with her husband Vadim and son Bogdan (who survive her). A dear friend to many in and outside of the dance community, Lirena was also an avid reader, knitter and she adored her dog Yousha.
Lirena was known for her open morning professional classes at a variety of studios -- she believed all could benefit from the classic ballet technique regardless of one’s affiliation. Her classes, adored by all levels of dancers, were flawless combinations to build a dancer’s body and mind, peppered through with her no-nonsense approach to the necessity of technique, her imagination, humor, thick Russian accent and unparalleled ballet experience and knowledge gained from worldwide touring. It never mattered to her which company or studio a dancer represented. This built a total admiration from all dancers--everyone was loyal to Lirena.
On Sunday, August 7 from 1-4 PM (2pm Program start)
a CELEBRATION OF LIFE will be held for our esteemed and cherished Lirena at Brant Lake Regional Park.
For directions and details about the park go to Bryant Park https://www.threeriversparks.org/location/bryant-lake-regional-park
We will come together to share stories and pay tribute.
The monies from this GoFundMe page will help defray Lirena’s funeral and memorial costs.
Please consider contributing. We appreciate your generosity.
-Judith Brin Ingber, independent dance artist, along with others including Sally Rousse, Julia Sutter, Chris Onusko, MN Dance Theatre, St Paul Ballet, and the Cowles Center for Dance and the Performing Arts.
Lirena was known for her open morning professional classes at a variety of studios -- she believed all could benefit from the classic ballet technique regardless of one’s affiliation. Her classes, adored by all levels of dancers, were flawless combinations to build a dancer’s body and mind, peppered through with her no-nonsense approach to the necessity of technique, her imagination, humor, thick Russian accent and unparalleled ballet experience and knowledge gained from worldwide touring. It never mattered to her which company or studio a dancer represented. This built a total admiration from all dancers--everyone was loyal to Lirena.
On Sunday, August 7 from 1-4 PM (2pm Program start)
a CELEBRATION OF LIFE will be held for our esteemed and cherished Lirena at Brant Lake Regional Park.
For directions and details about the park go to Bryant Park https://www.threeriversparks.org/location/bryant-lake-regional-park
We will come together to share stories and pay tribute.
The monies from this GoFundMe page will help defray Lirena’s funeral and memorial costs.
Please consider contributing. We appreciate your generosity.
-Judith Brin Ingber, independent dance artist, along with others including Sally Rousse, Julia Sutter, Chris Onusko, MN Dance Theatre, St Paul Ballet, and the Cowles Center for Dance and the Performing Arts.
Organizer and beneficiary
Judith and friends of Lirena
Organizer
Minneapolis, MN
Judith Ingber
Beneficiary