Born and raised in Sterlitamak, Russia, Alexander Iziliaev began his ballet training at age 11 at The Perm Ballet School. Upon graduating in 1992, he won the Moscow International Competition and the Perm Competition. That same year, he traveled to the United States and joined the Hartford Ballet. Immediately cast in principal roles, Mr. Iziliaev also originated many roles in Kirk Peterson ballets, and he continued his training with Truman Finney.

In 1995, Mr. Iziliaev was invited by Peter Martins to join the New York City Ballet. There, his extensive repertoire of featured roles included George Balanchine's Tarantella, Allegro Brillante, and The Four Temperaments; and Peter Martins Fearful Symmetries. Mr. Iziliaev also originated roles in Kevin O'Day's Badchonim and Richard Tanner's Schoenberg/Wuorinen Variations.

Mr. Iziliaev joined Pennsylvania Ballet in September 2000 as a Principal Dancer. His roles with the Company have included Oberon in A Midsummer Night's Dream, Prince Desire in The Sleeping Beauty, Franz in Coppélia, Prince Charming in Cinderella, Lucentio in The Taming of the Shrew, Prince Ivan in The Firebird, Frederick in Dracula, and James in La Sylphide. He has also danced principal roles in George Balanchine's The Nutcracker™, Prodigal Son, Raymonda Variations, Agon, Serenade, and Western Symphony. Mr. Iziliaev has also performed in Paul Taylor's Arden Court, Lynne Taylor-Corbett's Great Galloping Gottschalk, and Christopher Wheeldon's Polyphonia and has made numerous international appearances in London, Paris, Scotland, Brazil, and throughout South America. Mr. Iziliaev is married to Principal Dancer Arantxa Ochoa, and they have a son. In addition to his performance career, Mr. Iziliaev is Pennsylvania Ballet's principal photographer and videographer. www.isashamedia.com.