Maria Tallchief Prima Ballerina

Growing up on the Osage Indian reservation, Maria Tallchief was a gifted pianist and dancer. According to Osage tradition, women are not permitted to dance, but Maria's parents recognized her gifts and allowed her to break the rule. Then when Maria reached the age of twelve, her father told her it was time to choose between her two loves. Maria chose ballet. It was a decision that would change not only the course of her life, but the face of classical ballet in America. The fascinating story of Maria Tallchief's rise to become America's prima ballerina will captivate young readers.

The life of the legendary ballerina Maria Tallchief is told in her own words. Her fascinating memoir is the story of the rigors and pleasures of a dancer's life--an artist's rapid rise to fame that began on an Indian reservation in Oklahoma. Tallchief introduced ballet to the American public and became George Balanchine's wife and muse. Recipient of the 1996 Kennedy Center Honor. of photos.

With grace and determination, Maria Tallchief became the world’s first Native American prima ballerina! Her story of triumph dances through the pages of this leveled reader. A profile, hometown map, timeline, and other features highlight Maria’s rise to success!

Born in 1925, Maria Tallchief spent part of her childhood on an Osage reservation in Oklahoma. With the support of her family and world-renowned choreographer George Balanchine, she rose to the top of her art form to become America's first prima ballerina. Black-and-white illustrations provide visual sidebars to the history of ballet while taking readers through the life of this amazing dancer.

"Maria Tallchief knew she wanted to dance while watching Osage dancers as a child in Oklahoma. For tribal ceremonies, only men were allowed to dance. But, Maria went on to become America's first prima ballerina. She was one of the best dancers in the world"--

This book is a short biography of Maria Tallchief. Beginning Biographies.

Traces the life of the legendary ballerina, Maria Tallchief, the wife and inspiration of choreographer George Ballanchine, who grew up on an Indian reservation and rose to fame as the New York City Ballet's central attraction.

Growing up on the Osage Indian reservation, Maria Tallchief was a gifted pianist and dancer. According to Osage tradition, women are not permitted to dance, but Maria's parents recognized her gifts and allowed her to break the rule. Then when Maria reached the age of twelve, her father told her it was time to choose between her two loves. Maria chose ballet. It was a decision that would change not only the course of her life, but the face of classical ballet in America. The fascinating story of Maria Tallchief's rise to become America's prima ballerina will captivate young readers.