Vytis Jankauskas

Associate Professor of the LMTA Department of Dance and Movement. Subjects: Dance Improvisation and Composition, Dance Repertoire, Development of Partner Dance and Contemporary Dance. Languages: English (B2), Russian (C2). 

Vytis Jankauskas, one of the pioneers of Lithuanian contemporary dance, is a professional dancer, а choreographer, and а teacher at the LMTA Department of Dance and Movement.

Jankauskas became famous for being one of the first dancers who danced break dance in Lithuania and in 1987 he took the 1st place in the All-Soviet Union Break Dance Championship in Tallinn (Estonia). Ten years later, in 1997, the dancer established his own theatre — Vytis Jankauskas Dance Theatre — and it was one of the first non-governmental contemporary dance organisations to appear after Lithuania’s independence was regained. Since the establishment of the theatre, within 23 years, the choreographer has created 14 dance performances and became known as a unique Lithuanian contemporary dance phenomenon who consistently follows his own creative path. The works by Vytis Jankauskas are regularly presented not only in Lithuania, but also in a variety of dance and theatre festivals abroad.

The artistic accomplishments by choreographer Vytis Jankauskas have been recognised by two Golden Crosses of the Stage, the most prominent award by the Lithuanian Theatre. His dance performance The Drowned Valley won Golden Cross of the Stage for the best choreography of 2003–2004, while the second award distinguished Vytis Jankauskas as the best choreographer of the season for the performance Vigil in 2008-2009

Vytis Jankauskas’ career as a dancer and choreographer is by no means limited to creative work. For many years, he has also been successfully involved in dance teaching. Since 2017, he has been teaching a variety of subjects.