Biography

Ülle-Valve-Oktavie Ulla (November 10, 1934, Tallinn – April 9, 2016, Tallinn) was an Estonian ballet dancer, opera and operetta singer, actress and dance pedagogue. Her father was a railway official while her mother is a stenographer-typist who was also an actress of Hommikteater. In 1946, she enrolled at the Estonian State Choreographical School, graduating in 1953. From 1953 until 1966 and again from 1970 until 1973, she was a ballet soloist at Estonia Theatre. Ulla also performed in opera and operetta. After finishing her career as a ballet soloist, she performed in the Viru Variety Hall from 1972 until 1985. In the 1990s, she worked as a trainer and dance teacher at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre. She has also played in several films. In 1967, Ulla was the subject of the Leida Levald directed documentary film Ülle Ulla. Ulla was married three times. Her first marriage was to dancer Eduard-Anatoli Hanson. From 1960 until 1971, she was married to actor Ago-Endrik Kerge, with whom she had a daughter. From 1972 until 1991, she was married to conductor Eri Klas.