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Maria TallchiefLoading...
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By - Isabella ReyesLoading...
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Introduction
Do you know about Maria Tallchief. Well she was a famous ballerina who won many awards. She was a director and one of the most famous Native American ballerinas. She is a real inspiration to all.
Early Life
Maria was born January 24, 1925. Her father Alexander Tallchief an Osage Indian who was very wealthy from discovering oil in Osage land. Ruth Porter her mother grew up very poor and couldn't afford nor attend dance lessons. She persued Maria to dance. When Maria was 8 her and her family moved to Los Angeles. Almost from birth Maria was involved in dance, taking formal lessons at the age 3. She also loved the outdoors and music. She took piano and dance lessons. Maria's childhood was amazing and soon later she will see what she becomes later in life.
Young Adulthood
In 1942 ,Maria Tallchief was only about 17 years old when she moved to New York city to persue her dreams in becoming a dancer. She faced alot of discrimination since she was a Native American. She joined the famed Ballet Russe Monte Carlo as an apprentice and moved quickly through the ranks, dancing first in the corps de ballet and later performing leading roles. In George Balanchine’s New York City Ballet, Tallchief achieved her goal of becoming America’s prima ballerina, the first Native American artist to achieve the rank.Tallchief had to change her last name so other ballerinas wouldn't discriminate against her. One of her most viewed plays was "The Nutcracker" in 1960 she would perform at Bolshoi Theater in Moscow making her the first American to do so.
"What's important is that I'm working with very talented young people"
Love Life
Maria Tallchief met and became involved with the famed choreographer George Balanchine. The couple wed in 1946 and separated in 1951. While their marriage was short-lived, the two worked well together. Soon later In 1957, Tallchief married Henry Paschen. After the birth of their daughter, Elise, in 1959, Tallchief took some time away from ballet to spend time with loved ones.
George Balanchine
Henry Paschen
Henry Paschen, Maria Tallchief, Elise Paschen (offspring)
Retirment
Once Maria retired from ballet she and her sister opened up a ballet school and dance company. She never forgot her native ways. She spoke out of justice and discrimination. She not only broke the rules for native Americans but she became one of the American dances to show how different people can do the same things as white people. She showed a new era becoming prima ballerina as her race.
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