Mikhail Nikolayevich Baryshnikov, also known by nickname ‘Misha’ is a Russian- American ballet dancer, who is regarded as one of the best ballet dancers of all time. As an artist, along with mastering ballet, he is known to promote contemporary dance and re-choreograph traditional ballet dance forms. He began undergoing training in ballet dance since the age of eleven. Very soon, he received major opportunities with renowned choreographers and his performances earned him popularity in the Soviet Union. In his quest to explore contemporary dance, he moved to Canada in 1974 and later to the United States of America. Here, after spending years as a freelance dance artist, he served as the primary dancer and later as dance director of prestigious dance centers like the New York City Ballet and the American Ballet Theatre. Throughout his career, he has had the opportunity to work with renowned artists like Oleg Vinogradov, Igor Tchernichov, Jerome Robbins, Alvin Ailey, and Twyla Tharp to name a few. In 1990, he co-founded a touring company of dancers named ‘White Oak Dance Project’. He has also made several appearances in television and films.