Lirena Grisha Branitski

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Branitski, Lirena Grisha Age 81 of Plymouth, MN died on Saturday, January 29, 2022. Lirena passed away in her sleep at her home in Plymouth, MN. Lirena Grisha Branitski (Dubrovski) was born on April 7, 1940 in Dnepropet-rovsk, Ukraine. Lirena was preceded in death by her parents, Natalie and Greoriy Dubrovski and her brother, Boris Dubrovski. She was survived by her husband, Vadim Branitski (married 1964) and their only child, Bogdan Branitski and countless precious friends and colleagues in the arts community. Lirena was born and trained in the former Soviet Union. She was first soloist of the Ukrainian State Theatre of Opera and Ballet and frequent guest performer of the famed Bolshoi Theatre. She has performed throughout Europe, Canada and South America a vast repertoire of soloist and principal roles in both classical and contemporary ballets under all the master Russian choreographers. Lirena, her husband Vadim and son Bogdan emigrated to the U.S. in 1980. During the 40 years that followed she choreographed and taught classical ballet with several dance companies and schools including Minnesota Dance Theater under the direction of Loyce Houlton, her own school and ballet company (Branitski Ballet), Ballet Arts Minnesota (Bonnie Mathis & Marcia Chapman co-artistic directors), James Sewell Ballet (James Sewell founder/director), St. Paul Ballet (Chris Onusko school director) and Metropolitan Ballet (Erik Sanborn Johnson founder/director). She retired in 2020 after teaching for Minnesota Dance Theater under the direction of Lise Houlton. Lirena has been instrumental in the careers of many dancers working in professional companies today. In 2012, she was the recipient of the Special Citation at the 2012 Minnesota SAGE Awards for her contribution to local dance. Visitation & Reviewal to be held on Friday February 4th, 2022 from 1:00 4:00 PM with a prayer & reflection at 3:00 PM at David Lee Funeral Home, 1220 East Wayzata Blvd. Wayzata, MN 55391. Memorial donations can be sent to the funeral home in care of Vadim Branitski. Lirena, you are here in all of us. Our love for ballet and our love for you is separated only by a blurred line you have been a wife, mother, mentor and inspiration to us all and your work will impact us all for generations. Lirena Branitski you embodied beauty, strength and perseverance. David Lee Funeral Home Wayzata 952-473-5577 davidleefuneralhome.com

Published on February 2, 2022