Grigori Arakelyan was born in Erevan, Armenia, and graduated from the National Choreographic Academy of Armenia before moving to Los Angeles. He continued his dance training with Pasadena Dance Theatre. In 2004 he won first place in the Music Center's Spotlight Awards making him the first male dancer to reach the finals and win in 16 years. Grigori was also national scholar with American Ballet Theatre. From 2006 to 2013 Grigori danced with Nevada Ballet Theatre. Grigori has performed many classical as well as contemporary ballets and worked with renowned choreographers. His repertoire includes Romeo and Juliet, Giselle, Don Quixote, Corsaire, The Nutcracker, Cinderella, Rubies, Serenade, Who Cares?, 9 Sinatra Songs, Equinox, Lambarena and many more. In 2013 Grigori returned to Los Angeles and joined the faculty at the Conservatory of Performing Arts as well as being a member of the Company at Pasadena Dance Theatre.