The Azerbaijan State Academic Dance Ensemble was founded in 1970. An outstanding dancer and choreographer, People’s Artist of Azerbaijan, Alibaba Abdullayev was one of its founders. From 1976 to 1982, the team was led by the famous ballet dancer and teacher, People’s Artist of the USSR Leyla Vekilova.

In 1982, the Ensemble was headed by People’s Artist of Azerbaijan Afag Melikova. In November 2015, at the invitation of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan, a well-known choreographer, People’s Artist of the Russian Federation Dikalu Muzakayev was invited to stage a new concert program.

For all the years of its activity, the dancing group shows and promotes the unique choreographic traditions of Azerbaijani art, its unique folklore, the beauty and grace of national dances.

The ensemble continuously participates in the state events of Azerbaijan, successful  tours to Russia, CIS countries, the USA, Italy, France, Portugal, Spain, Norway, Switzerland, Belgium, Israel, India, Nepal, South Korea, Greece, Jordan, Thailand, Egypt , Qatar, United Arab Emirates, China, Vietnam, Iraq, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Brazil, Cuba and many other countries.

The dancing group traditionally represents the culture of its country at international festivals, Days of Azerbaijani Culture (in Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, Turkey, Austria, Germany, Japan, Egypt, Qatar). The ensemble participated in the cultural program of the 1980 Olympic games held in Moscow, world exhibitions EXPO-1988 in Japan, EXPO-2000 in Germany, EXPO-2010 in China. “Expo-2015” in Italy. In 1979, the ensemble was awarded a gold medal of the international festival “Carthage” in Tunisia.

In addition to the folkloric dances of Azerbaijan, the repertoire of the dancing group includes dances directed to the music of Azerbaijani composers U. Hajibeyli, F. Amirov, S. Rustamov, T. Guliyev, D. Jakhangirov, R. Hajiyev, H. Khanmamedov, A. Alizade, E. Sabitoglu, T. Hajiyeva, V. Adigezalov

In 1991, the State Dance Ensemble was awarded the title of Honored Collective of Azerbaijan for an outstanding contribution to the development of national culture. In 2017, it was awarded the title of the Azerbaijan Academic Dance Ensemble.