Jean Ballantyne

In 1953 when she was invited to examine for the Royal Academy of Dancing. For the next 20 years she travelled widely throughout New Zealand and in England, Fiji, Malaya, Hong Kong and Singapore, examining thousands of students annually and conducting courses for teachers.

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Kira Abricossova Bousloff

Bousloff is regarded as a pioneer of Australian ballet for her establishment and direction of the Perth-based West Australian Ballet in 1952; the company held its premiere performance in July 1953. Her vision for the company was to see it perform ballet with themes and stories inspired by Australian legends, with sets designed by local artists and music composed by Australians.

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Padma Menon

In 1976 Menon moved to Madras to work with Vempati Chinna Satyam in the Kuchipudi style and became a member of his dance company, which was attached to the Kuchipudi Art Academy in Madras. Menon performed extensively with this company in India and also gave solo performances across the country.

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Agnes de Mille

Agnes de Mille was one of the preeminent American choreographers of the twentieth century. Entering a field dominated by men, de Mille created a distinct American style of dance and choreographed some of the most beloved American ballets. She remains an inspiration to dancers and choreographers.

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Ludmilla Chiriaeff

Ludmilla Chiriaeff CC GOQ was a Latvian-Canadian ballet dancer, choreographer, teacher, and company director, who created more than 300 ballets for television and stage. She founded Les Ballets Chiriaeff and its affiliated school in 1952; the company was renamed Les Grands Ballets Canadiens in 1957. At the request of the Ministère des Affaires Culturelles du Québec, she established the first fully professional ballet school in the province, the Académie des Grands Ballets Canadiens, which in 1976 became the École Supérieure de Danse des Grands Ballets Canadiens. She also introduced intensive ballet programs into all levels of Montréal’s educational system, and is known as “la mère de la danse au Québec” (“the mother of dance in Quebec”).

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