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Maria Tallchief: America's Prima Ballerina

Junichiro Tanizaki

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Maria Tallchief was an American ballerina who broke barriers and became one of the most celebrated dancers of the 20th century. She was the first Native American woman to achieve international stardom in classical ballet, and she helped to establish the New York City Ballet as one of the world's leading dance companies.

Maria Tallchief: America's Prima Ballerina

by Maria Tallchief

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Tallchief was born in Fairfax, Oklahoma, in 1925. Her father was a Osage chief, and her mother was of Scottish-Irish descent. She began studying ballet at the age of three, and by the time she was a teenager, she was performing with the Oklahoma City Ballet. In 1942, she joined the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, and in 1945, she became a principal dancer with the New York City Ballet.

Tallchief was a gifted dancer with a remarkable technique and a rare ability to convey emotion through her movement. She was particularly known for her performances in George Balanchine's ballets, such as "Serenade," "The Four Temperaments," and "Symphony in C." She also danced leading roles in ballets by Jerome Robbins, Antony Tudor, and Frederick Ashton.

In addition to her dancing career, Tallchief was also a successful actress and model. She appeared in several films, including "The Red Shoes" (1948) and "Call Me Madam" (1953). She also modeled for fashion magazines such as Vogue and Harper's Bazaar.

Tallchief retired from dancing in 1965, but she continued to be involved in the dance world as a teacher and choreographer. She also served on the board of directors of the New York City Ballet and the School of American Ballet.

Tallchief died in Chicago in 2013 at the age of 88. She is remembered as one of the greatest ballerinas of all time, and her legacy continues to inspire dancers and audiences around the world.

Legacy

Maria Tallchief's legacy is immense. She was a pioneer for Native American dancers, and she helped to break down barriers in the ballet world. She was also a gifted artist who created some of the most memorable performances in the history of dance.

Tallchief's work continues to inspire dancers and audiences around the world. She is a role model for young Native Americans, and she is a reminder that anything is possible if you have the talent and the determination to follow your dreams.

Awards and honors

* Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur (1958) * Kennedy Center Honors (1996) * National Medal of Arts (1999) * Oklahoma Hall of Fame (2000) * Native American Hall of Fame (2002)

Bibliography

* Tallchief, Maria, and Margaret Lloyd. *Maria Tallchief: America's Prima Ballerina.* New York: Dial Press, 1996. * Garafola, Lynn. *Legacies of Twentieth-Century Dance.* Middletown, CT: Wesleyan University Press, 2005. * Littlefield, Catherine. *Ballet in the United States: A History through Its Makers.* New York: Oxford University Press, 2008.

Image credits

* Portrait of Maria Tallchief by Carl Van Vechten, 1946. * Maria Tallchief in "The Four Temperaments," 1946. * Maria Tallchief and George Balanchine, 1952.

Maria Tallchief: America's Prima Ballerina

by Maria Tallchief

4.5 out of 5