Vaslav Fomich Nijinsky (1888-1950) Vaslav Nijinsky was born in Kiev, Russia, March 12, 1888, while his parents, dancers Eleonora Bereda and Foma Nijinsky were on tour. He entered the Imperial School in St. Petersburg in 1898, and upon graduation in 1907 became a soloist with the Maryinsky Theatre. He was short and stocky, and offstage, shy and reserved, yet the public adored him. Nijinsky moved ...