Elena Tupyseva

On November 6, 2023 Elena Tupyseva started with Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet as the Executive Director. Tupyseva is an innovative, dedicated and proven leader with over 20 years of experience in managing performing arts organizations and projects.

Born in Moscow (Russia), she has been a producer, curator and arts leader in the field of contemporary dance and ballet since 1999. Tupyseva earned a Graduate Certificate in Leadership and Management, Royal Roads University, 2022, a Master’s Degree in Performing Arts Management, State Academy of Theatre Arts, Russia, 2005 and a Master’s Degree in Law, State University of Oil and Gas, Russia, 1998.

Tupyseva became co-founder and director of the Contemporary Dance Centre TsEKh (Moscow) in 2001. Primary projects included the International Contemporary Dance Festival TsEKh and the International Contemporary Dance Summer School. From 2000 - 2021, Elena was a Russian partner of the European Dance Network Aerowaves.

Tupyseva then moved on to become Artistic Director and CEO of the Theatre Ballet Moscow, a city repertoire contemporary dance and ballet company from 2012 to 2022. Under her direction, the company commissioned more than 30 new ballets (full length and one act) created by Russian and international choreographers. During 2020, the company launched several online projects and performances. The company was nominated six times to the prestigious Russian Theatre Award Golden Mask and two productions won the prize as a best dance production of the year.

In 2022, Tupyseva was appointed Producer of Dance Umbrella of Ontario based in Toronto, where she and her colleagues served independent artists by assisting with management services – from non-profit finances and production to administration and marketing.

Tupyseva’s entrepreneurial skills and flair played a huge role in setting up and leading independent arts organizations and various artistic projects throughout her career. Her artistic curiosity, coupled with strategic thinking, talent development, human relations, networking, and inter-cultural communication skills, have paved the way for successfully executing numerous ballet, dance and multidisciplinary projects on local, national and international levels.