Rinat Imaev

Born in Oufa, Russia, Imaev studied at the Vaganova Ballet Academy in St. Petersburg and later danced with the Kirov Theatre (now Mariinsky). As a student Imaev was the distinguished recipient of the Gold medal at the International Ballet Competition Varna. Other awards include the Grand Prix of the Bulgarian National Ballet competition; Golden Lire of the Ministry of Culture of Bulgaria and Special Partner Prize at the Madame Oya International Ballet Competition in Japan. He was a principal dancer with Sofia National Ballet in Bulgaria and Royal Ballet of Flanders in Belgium. Imaev has also performed for several international companies as a guest artist.

From 2016-2024 Rinat was a member of the faculty of Washington School of Ballet; Upper Division Faculty, Professional Training Division Faculty

Before that he was a company teacher with American Ballet Theatre for 15 years. He has been in demand as a guest teacher, working with Boston Ballet, Oklahoma Ballet, The Royal Ballet of Flanders, The Bruxelles, Sofia Opera and Ballet, Victor Ullate Ballet/-Communidad de Madrid, Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet, The Ballet Internationale in Indianapolis, The Carreño Sarasota Festival, Salt Creek Ballet, Kaatsban International Dance Center, The Rock School for Dance Education, Joffrey Ballet School, Debby Allen Academy, Southland Ballet Academy, Dmitri Kulev Classical Ballet Academy, Dance Academy, The State School of Antwerp, Alix Riga Dance Centre, Le Ballet de Bruxelles, Nafsika Dance Company, Jeune Ballet de France, Ochi International Ballet, Hakucho Ballet, Rei Ichianagi Academy, Mie Kozatani Ballet, and Stadttheater Saarbrücken.

He has also been a jury member of Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) since its founding and a jury member at international ballet competitions in Nagoya, Japan. He is the artistic advisor of IBstage in Barcelona, Spain.

In Spring of 2024, he set Don Quixote for Hakucho Ballet on the occasion of their 60 anniversary in Nagano, Japan.