Opera Ballet
Alenka Ribič
Alenka Ribič Laufer, a Slovenian prima ballerina, was born and raised in Maribor, Slovenia. It was there where she discovered her passion for theatre and ballet. At the young age of 17, she joined the ballet ensemble in Maribor as a soloist, where she would eventually master the classical ballet technique with internationally renowned ballet artists and choreographers who guested at the Slovene National Theatre. After a successful stint in Maribor, Alenka Ribič was invited by the director of the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb to perform for one season. She then returned to Maribor, where she quickly rose to become the principal dancer, taking on the classical leading roles in Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Don Quixote, La Bayadere, Romeo and Juliette, Nutcracker, Copellia, as well as different neo-classical and modern ballets. With her talent and grace, Alenka Ribič has performed in many guest appearances and gala concerts across Europe. However, in 2013, she suffered an injury, prompting her to shift her focus from performing to teaching. She became a ballet master and an assistant at the Slovenian National Theatre in Maribor, where she continues to inspire and mentor aspiring dancers. Currently, Alenka Ribič is working as a guest teacher in Ljubljana and Italy, passing on her vast knowledge and experience in ballet to the next generation of dancers. Her impressive career has earned her many accolades, including the prestigious Glazer Award in 2001 and received the Prešeren Award in 2004.
