 Maria
Tallchief
Prima Ballerina 1925
Maria Tallchief has been
recognized as the most accomplished ballerina to
come out of the United States. She has studied
with such notable dance teachers and
choreographers as Bronislava Nijinska and George
Balanchine. Her uniqueness and her outstanding
ability blended together to create one of the
most vital chapters in the history of American
Dance (http://kennedycenter.org/honors/history/honoree/maria.html).
Maria Tallchief was born on
January 24, 1925 on an Indian reservation in
Fairfax, Oklahoma. While her father was a member
of the Osage tribe, her mother was of Irish and
Scottish descent. When Maria was quite young,
her family moved to Los Angeles where Maria
began music and dance lessons. Her first dance
teacher was dance pioneer Bronislava Nijinska
and after she studied with him for five years
Maria joined the Ballet Russe de Montte Carlo.
Because of her talent, she soon became a soloist
in this
ballet company and performed in a
variety of ballets such as Scheherezade , Gaite
Parisieene, and George Balanchine's Serenade.
While dancing in Song of Norway Maria met
choreographer George Balanchine and the two were
married in 1946. Maria became his inspiration
for several of his ballets and together they
turned his Ballet Society into the New York City
Ballet.
Maria became very popular and
her dedication to the ballet was complete. She
continued her dancing career until she retired,
much to the world's surprise, in 1965. It was
her intent to give up dancing after she reached
her prime and turn over her love and respect for
her art to younger dancers. She then turned her
talents to directing and teaching.
Maria began her work at the
Chicago Lyric Opera Ballet in 1975 and founded
the Chicago City Ballet in 1981 and served as
its director until 1987.
Maria Tallchief was not only an
accomplished ballerina, but she also spent her
time and energy promoting Native American
culture and contributions to the
arts. She was
honored by the State of Oklahoma in 1953 and
given the name of Wa-Xthe-Thomba, meaning "Woman
of Two Worlds". This name commemorates her
international success as a prima ballerina and a
Native American.
This article may be reprinted as
long as it includes the following resource box:
Patricia Chadwick is a freelance
writer and creator of History's Women Website at
www.HistorysWomen.com. Visit her site and sign
up for her FREE weekly newsletter. Patti is also
author of the newly released book "History's
Women - The Unsung Heroines" available in both
e-book and print format at:
https://www.pcpublications.org/hw/form.html
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to unhealthy behavior in their efforts to change how they visually perceive
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moderate exercise can be good for you. However, excessive exercise
or extreme dietary restrictions are not conducive to good health. Before
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be sure to contact a professional and educate yourself about the course
of action that is right for you.
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