When you think of trailblazers in the ballet world, a name that immediately comes to mind is Maria Tallchief. A member of the Osage Nation, Tallchief dedicated herself to dance, all while breaking barriers. She became the first Native American to become popular in professional ballet, and her talent continues to inspire those trying to break into the industry.
Maria Tallchief always knew she wanted to be a ballerina
Maria Tallchief (birth name Elizabeth Marie Tall Chief) was born on the Osage Reservation in Fairfax, Oklahoma, on January 24, 1925. From an early age, her parents supported her interest in dance, allowing her to begin ballet lessons at just three years old.
In 1933, Tallchief’s family relocated to Los Angeles, California, as the city opened doors to more advanced training opportunities. While there, Tallchief was lucky enough to train under such renowned instructors as Bronislava Nijinska and David Lichine. By the age of 12, she’d made the decision to pursue ballet professionally, and just three years later, she performed one of her first big recitals at the Hollywood Bowl.
Speaking of her time studying under Nijinska, Tallchief recalled, “[She] was a personification of what ballet was all about. I looked at her, and I knew this is what I wanted to do.”
Luckily, Tallchief’s mother was determined to let her daughter live out her dreams; she’d missed her own chance to dance, due to her family’s financial struggles, and she didn’t want her child to face the same fate.
Maria Tallchief joins the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo
Maria Tallchief scored a small role in the MGM musical Presenting Lily Mars (1943), starring Judy Garland, and her professional ballet career took off once she joined the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. Starting out as an apprentice, she quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a member of the corps de ballet and performing in several shows. She remained with the company for five years.
Despite being encouraged to adopt a more European-sounding name, Tallchief refused – she was proud of her Osage identity. She soon caught the eye of legendary choreographer George Balanchine, who recognized her potential and case her in leading roles to show off her athleticism and artistry.
The pair’s collaborations revolutionized the American ballet scene. After moving to Paris, France, Tallchief became the first American to dance in the Paris Opéra, and it wasn’t long before she and Balanchine wed. However, their union was short; a divorce followed after only a few years.
Becoming the prima ballerina of the New York City Ballet
Nonetheless, Maria Tallchief and George Balanchine’s professional partnership continued to flourish. The former became the prima ballerina of the New York City Ballet (then known as the Balanchine Ballet), a title she’d hold for the next 13 years.
Tallchief’s time with the New York City Ballet marked a period of artistic innovation and acclaim. As its prima ballerina, she often captivated audiences with her performances, with the most notable being The Firebird, The Nutcracker and Swan Lake. Her take on these shows not only elevated her status as one of the country’s most talented dancers, but made the ballets into classic shows.
Outside of the company, Tallchief performed with the likes of the San Francisco Ballet and the Royal Danish Ballet. She also did many on-screen dances, with her showcasing her talents on The Ed Sullivan Show (1948-71) and in the 1952 film, Million Dollar Mermaid.
Maria Tallchief later taught ballet
In 1960, Maria Tallchief began dancing with the American Ballet Theatre, eventually becoming its prima ballerina. Following this, she moved to Germany, where she held the same role at the Hamburg Ballet.
Following her retirement in 1965, Tallchief continued to contribute to the world of dancing through teaching and administration. She served as the artistic director of the Chicago Lyric Opera Ballet and founded the Chicago City Ballet with her sister, Marjorie.
Lasting legacy of a ballet icon
Maria Tallchief was the first Native American to break into professional ballet, and her legacy continues to inspire both dancers and audiences; even though she passed in 2013, her achievements left a permanent mark. Speaking about her love for ballet, she once said, “A ballerina takes steps given to her and makes them her own. Each individual brings something different to the same role.”
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Tallchief received numerous honors throughout her life. She was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame and received a Kennedy Honor. She was also named to the National Native American Hall of Fame and twice received the Washington Press Woman of the Year Award. As if that wasn’t enough, the Oklahoma state legislature also dubbed June 29 “Maria Tallchief Day,” to honor her impact on the ballet world.