Olga Pikhienko
Encyclopedia
Olga Pikhienko. Pikhienko started in rhythmic gymnastics
at the age of five. When she was eleven, she started performing with her father, Sasha Pikhienko, at the Nikulin Circus based in Moscow
. Olga's act with her father won them a gold medal in 1992 at the Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain in Paris
. In 1993, they won a silver medal in Beijing
, China
at the World Festival.
Pikhienko started working with Cirque du Soleil
in 1994. In 1996, she went on tour with Cirque's production Quidam
, and, for more than five years, performed her hand balancing and contortion with canes act throughout Europe and North America. In 2001, she worked on the creation of Varekai
, while being filmed for the Bravo network's documentary series Fire Within, which won an Emmy Award
in 2003. During filming, there were concerns regarding continued complaints of fatigue and back pain from Pikheinko.
She received another gold medal in Paris at the 2004 Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain. After touring with Varekai for three years, Pikhienko decided to branch out artistically, developing new acts for special events, commercials, print and video. She returned to Quidam in 2006 and has been performing there since.
Rhythmic gymnastics
Rhythmic gymnastics is a sport in which individuals or teams of competitors manipulate one or two pieces of apparatus: rope, clubs, hoop, ball, ribbon and Free . An individual athlete only manipulates 1 apparatus at a time...
at the age of five. When she was eleven, she started performing with her father, Sasha Pikhienko, at the Nikulin Circus based in Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
. Olga's act with her father won them a gold medal in 1992 at the Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
. In 1993, they won a silver medal in Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
at the World Festival.
Pikhienko started working with Cirque du Soleil
Cirque du Soleil
Cirque du Soleil , is a Canadian entertainment company, self-described as a "dramatic mix of circus arts and street entertainment." Based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and located in the inner-city area of Saint-Michel, it was founded in Baie-Saint-Paul in 1984 by two former street performers, Guy...
in 1994. In 1996, she went on tour with Cirque's production Quidam
Quidam
Quidam is the ninth stage show produced by Cirque du Soleil. It premiered in April 1996 and has now been watched by millions of spectators around the world...
, and, for more than five years, performed her hand balancing and contortion with canes act throughout Europe and North America. In 2001, she worked on the creation of Varekai
Varekai
Varekai is a Cirque du Soleil touring production that premiered in Montréal in April 2002. Its title means "wherever" in the Romani language, and the show is an "acrobatic tribute to the nomadic soul"....
, while being filmed for the Bravo network's documentary series Fire Within, which won an Emmy Award
Emmy Award
An Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
in 2003. During filming, there were concerns regarding continued complaints of fatigue and back pain from Pikheinko.
She received another gold medal in Paris at the 2004 Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain. After touring with Varekai for three years, Pikhienko decided to branch out artistically, developing new acts for special events, commercials, print and video. She returned to Quidam in 2006 and has been performing there since.
History
- 1985-1990: Rhythmic gymnastics (Russia).
- 1991-1992: Nikulin Circus (Moscow). Hand-to-hand contortion with Alexander Pikhienko.
- 1992-1994: Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Hand to Hand contortion with Alexander Pikhienko.
- 1994-2000: Cirque du Soleil — Quidam. North American Tour and European Tour. Hand balancing and contortion with canes.
- 2000-2003: Cirque du Soleil — Varekai. North American Tour. Hand balancing and contortion with canes. Principal character.
- 2003-2006: Independent artist — Special events, television, film, print. Hand balancing and contortion with canes.
- 2006–2011: Cirque Du Soleil Quidam North and South American tour.
- 2011-present: Cirque Du Soleil "IRIS" in Hollywood.