Rosella Hightower was an American ballerina who achieved fame in the United States and Europe. Along with Yvonne Chouteau, Moscelyne Larkin, and sisters Maria Tallchief and Marjorie Tallchief, she was one of the “Five Moons”, Native American ballerinas from Oklahoma who gained international fame in the 20th century.
Gwyneth Evelyn “Gwen” Verdon was an American actor and dancer, who won four Tony Awards for her musical comedy performances, and served as an uncredited choreographer’s assistant and specialty dance coach for theater and film. Known for her bright red hair and a quaver in her voice, Verdon was a celebrated performer on Broadway from the 1950s through the 1970s. Having originated many roles in musicals she is also remembered as the dancer, collaborator and muse for whom her husband director–choreographer Bob Foss choreographed much of his work, and who guarded his legacy after his death.
Born: 24 March 1920, United Kingdom Died: 27 September 2014 Country most active: United Kingdom Also known as: Joan Rothwell Joan Benesh was a British ballet dancer who, with her […]
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”).