Born in 1968 in Samara, Russia. When a student of the Samara State Pedagogical University (Department of Foreign Languages), Vladimir Kekhman launched his business career. He held leading positions in several companies. In 1995, he organised José Carreras’s concert in the St Petersburg Philharmonic Society. In May 2007, he was appointed General Director of the Mikhailovsky Theatre. In 2009, he graduated from the Management Department of the St Petersburg State Theatre Academy.
Under Vladimir Kekhman’s supervision, the Mikhailovsky Theatre has become one of the leading Russian houses. Successful creative strategy and a number of new opera and ballet productions were realised here with contribution of outstanding musicians, directors and choreographers: Elena Obraztsova, Farukh Ruzimatov, Nacho Duato (Spain), Mikhail Messerer, Daniele Rustioni (Italy), Peter Feranec (Slovakia), Vladimir Jurowski, Andriy Zholdak (Ukraine), Dmitri Tcherniakov, Mikhail Tatarnikov among many others. The Mikhailovsky Theatre has become winner of the Golden Mask National Highest Theatre Awards, constant competitor of the Golden Mask Festival, and winner of the Golden Soffit St Petersburg Highest Theatre Awards.
Due to Vladimir Kekhman, the geography of the Mikhailovsky tours has extended. Lately, the Theatre has toured to Italy, Germany, Japan, Canada, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, Belarus, and several Russian cities. The Ballet Company has toured to London three times and was named the Best Foreign Dance Company at the Critics’ Circle National Dance Awards in the UK. Vladimir Kekhman organised the first Mikhailovsky Ballet Tour to New York, which was meant to become a great success and made the Mikhailovsky one of the leading ballet companies in the world.
Vladimir Kekhman was an active participant of many social and culture events: Help the Tiger concert within the framework of the international Tiger Summit, Dresden — St Petersburg Gala Concert, and the Charity Marathon organised by the Give Life Foundation. Due to his social activity, Vladimir Kekhman received letters of gratitude from the Russian Government and the President of Russia.
Vladimir Kekhman was awarded with three orders of Russian Orthodox Church (Order of St Seraphim of Sarov, Order of St Sergius of Radonezh, and Order of St Prince Daniel of Moscow) for his charity activity and support of Orthodox churches reconstruction.
Vladimir Kekhman holds concurrently positions as head of the Mikhailovsky theatre and Director of the Novosibirsk state academic opera and ballet theatre since the year of 2015.