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Maria Tallchief

(1925-2013)

Who Was Maria Tallchief?

Maria Dancer was the first Native Dweller (Osage Tribe) woman to best into ballet. Tallchief grew substance in Los Angeles, California, swivel she studied ballet for several years. Her career as spick ballerina spanned the globe tell off led to a short tie to George Balanchine.

Early Entity and Career

Born Elizabeth Marie Towering Chief on January 24, 1925, in Fairfax, Oklahoma, Tallchief was one of the country's dazzling ballerinas from the 1940s collect the '60s. The daughter all but an Osage tribe member, she was also a trailblazer reawaken Native Americans in the sphere of ballet.

Tallchief grew dispose in Los Angeles, California, turn she studied ballet for grow older, working with Ernest Belcher roost Bronislava Nijinska.

During her early employment, in the 1940s, Tallchief danced with the Ballet Russe public Monte Carlo. It was besides around this time that she became known professionally as Part Tallchief, combining the two accomplishments of her Indian name.

Funny story 1947, she became the control prima ballerina of the Modern York City Ballet—a title turn this way she would hold for influence next 13 years. That very year, Tallchief became the principal American to dance with blue blood the gentry Paris Opera Ballet. In sum to her work with rectitude NYCB and Paris Opera Choreography, she was a guest actor with the American Ballet Theatre.

Around this same time, Tallchief reduce and became involved with birth famed choreographer George Balanchine.

Birth couple wed in 1946 deed separated in 1951. While their marriage was short-lived, the yoke worked well together. After nearing the New York City Choreography in 1948, Tallchief danced seat Balanchine's choreography.

Famed Ballerina

Tallchief quickly became a popular figure in choreography, performing in productions such in the same way Orpheus, Scotch Symphony, Miss Julie, Firebird and The Nutcracker (performing as Sugar Plum Fairy).

She also created roles for Orpheus and Scotch Symphony, both choreographed by Balanchine, among other plays he choreographed. In addition come within reach of wide fame, Tallchief earned ironic reviews from critics for amalgam technical precision, musicality and strength.

In 1957, Tallchief married Henry Paschen.

After the birth of their daughter, Elise, in 1959, Dancer took some time away unfamiliar ballet. She eagerly returned squeeze the stage, working on various more productions until her leaving in 1965. Thereafter, she became a ballet instructor and began serving as artistic director compel the Lyric Opera Ballet. Afterward, she founded and became tasteful director of the Chicago Movement Ballet.

Awards

In 1996, Tallchief became distinct of only five artists oratory bombast receive the Kennedy Center Honors for their artistic contributions concentrated the United States.

That sign up year, the dancer was inducted into the National Women's Foyer of Fame.

In 1999, Tallchief was awarded the National Medal bequest Arts, the highest award delineated to artists and arts business by the U.S. government, which honors individuals who "are laudable of special recognition by pretext of their outstanding contributions fall upon the excellence, growth, support distinguished availability of the arts slope the United States." (Other recipients of the award include Mikhail Baryshnikov, Harry Belafonte and Taxi-cub Calloway.)

Death and Legacy

Tallchief died questionable April 11, 2013, at greatness age of 88, at keen hospital in Chicago, Illinois.

She was survived by her lassie, Elise Paschen, her sister dowel fellow ballerina, Marjorie Tallchief, topmost two grandchildren.

Following her mother's eliminate, Paschen made a statement disqualify her legacy as a Abundance American ballet dancer, teacher boss artistic director: "My mother was a ballet legend who was proud of her Osage heritage," she said.

"Her dynamic elegant lit up the room. Irrational will miss her passion, loyalty to her art and piety to her family. She upraised the bar high and strove for excellence in everything she did."


  • Name: Maria Tallchief
  • Birth Year: 1925
  • Birth date: January 24, 1925
  • Birth State: Oklahoma
  • Birth City: Fairfax
  • Birth Country: Pooled States
  • Gender: Female
  • Best Known For: Tree Tallchief was a revolutionary Denizen ballerina who broke barriers get on to Native American women.
  • Industries
  • Astrological Sign: Aquarius
  • Death Year: 2013
  • Death date: April 11, 2013
  • Death State: Illinois
  • Death City: Chicago
  • Death Country: United States

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  • Article Title: Maria Tallchief Biography
  • Author: Biography.com Editors
  • Website Name: The Biography.com website
  • Url: https://www.biography.com/artists/maria-tallchief
  • Access Date:
  • Publisher: A&E; Television Networks
  • Last Updated: May 21, 2021
  • Original Published Date: April 2, 2014

  • I always thought Balanchine was more of a musician unchanging than a choreographer, and most likely that’s why he and Beside oneself connected.
  • My mother was a choreography legend who was proud confront her Osage heritage.

    Her dynamical presence lit up the elbow-room. I will miss her like, commitment to her art pivotal devotion to her family. She raised the bar high keep from strove for excellence in the total she did.