Nina Ananiashvili joined the Bolshoi Ballet in 1981, after training at the Georgian State Choreographic School and the Moscow Choreographic School. She has won a Gold medal at the Varna IBC (1980) received the Junior Grand Prix at the Moscow IBC in 1981 and Senior Gold Medal in 1985. In 1986, she received the Grand Prix in the IBC in Jackson, MS. The first Soviet dancer to guest with the New York City Ballet, she joined the American Ballet Theatre, while still a Prima at the Bolshoi. She also toured extensively around the globe, both as an invited guest Principal and with her own company, "Nina Ananiashvili and International Stars." In 2004 Ms. Ananiashvili became the Artistic Director of the State Ballet of Georgia which became world-renowned under her leadership. Ms. Ananiashvili retired from the Bolshoi stage in 2004 and from ABT in 2009. She is a People's Artist of Georgia and of the Russian Federation, among many other honors.