Maria Tallchief, the first Native American to become a prima ballerina

[redqueen]

passed away last week at the age of 88. Tallchief, who grew up on the Osage Reservation in Oklahoma, became one of the most acclaimed ballerinas of the 20th century.

As noted in the NY Times tribute to her, "Growing up at a time when many American dancers adopted Russian stage names, Ms. Tallchief, proud of her Indian heritage, refused to do so, even though friends told her that it would be easy to transform Tallchief into Tallchieva."

Tallchief kept her name and made her mark throughout the dance world, dancing with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo from 1942 to 1947 and the New York City Ballet from its founding in 1947 through 1965. She is pictured here in the title role of George Balanchine's ballet "Firebird."



Here's the NY Times' excellent tribute to her:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/13/arts/dance/maria-tallchief-brilliant-ballerina-dies-at-88.html?_r=0

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. Thank you for sharing this. I went to go look at the slideshow at the link, and the

pictures of her are exquisite!