“Being at the Bolshoi means being caught up in politics. The problem is that both the Bolshoi and the Kirov are considered Russian institutions – and to Russians, our classical ballets are the most important tradition. For example, very few Bolshoi dancers attend performances of visiting companies. When I brought in great coaches and teachers, the Bolshoi ballet masters wouldn’t come to watch. I left because there was too much pressure to stick to a narrow horizon.”