Hey there princess!
This week's Ginchy Gal is Maria Tallchief, born Elizabeth Marie "Betty" Tallchief (1925 - 2013). She was a prima ballerina, and was the first American and Native American to hold the title 'prima ballerina.'
She began taking ballet lessons at the age of three, and at 17 earned a prestigious position with Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, where she met George Balanchine. When he founded the New York City Ballet in 1946 he chose her as the star.
Her 1949 role in The Firebird made her world-famous on the stage, and her performance as the Sugarplum Fairy in The Nutcracker transformed the production from obscurity to a classic American piece. It is said that her style of dance was the perfect combination of "electrifying passion" as well as technical ability. She wasn't just a wonderful dancer, she was a true artist.
Be like Maria:
- Be passionate
- Keep them on their toes
- Dance like no one's watching
- Dedicate yourself to what you love
- Take time for technique
