IRISH-AMERICAN-L Archives

From: "Jean Rice" <>
Subject: [Irish-American] Maria TALLCHIEF (b. 1925) -- Prima Ballerina, NYC Ballet -- Native American/Scotch-Irish Roots
Date: Thu, 7 Aug 2003 07:07:53 -0700

SNIPPET: Maria TALLCHIEF was born in Fairfax, Oklahoma, the daughter of a 19th-century Osage Indian leader from OK and a Scottish-Irish pioneer mother. She danced with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo from 1942 to 1947, but her long career has been associated chiefly with the New York City Ballet beginning in 1947. She was once married to NYC Ballet director George BALANCHINE and created roles in many of his ballets, including "Orpheus (1948) and "Scotch Symphony" (1952).

Maria was best known for her roles as the mythical bird-woman in STRAVINSKY's "The Firebird," and her role as the Sugarplum Fairy in "The Nutcracker" with the famous Danish ballet dancer, Erik BRUHN. The ballerina was the first American-born ballet superstar to tour Europe and Asia. A two-time winner of the annual Dance award, she also appeared on many popular television program.

Praised for her superb technical discipline and command of style, and as one of the first American ballerinas to gain international fame, Ms. TALLCHIEF showed that American ballet dancing could equal European dancing in quality.

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• [Irish-American] Maria TALLCHIEF (b. 1925) -- Prima Ballerina, NYC Ballet -- Native American/Scotch-Irish Roots by "Jean Rice" <>