Elizabeth marie tallchief biography template

In 1942, at the age of 17, Maria Tallchief moved to New York City to pursue her dreams of becoming a dancer.

With luck, grit and determination she joined the famed Ballet Russe Monte Carlo as an apprentice and moved quickly through the ranks, dancing first in the corps de ballet and later performing leading roles. In George Balanchine’s New York City Ballet, Tallchief achieved her goal of becoming America’s prima ballerina, the first Native American artist to achieve the rank.

Elizabeth Marie Tall Chief was born January 24, 1925 in Fairfax, Oklahoma.

Elizabeth marie tallchief biography template

Her father was a member of the Osage Nation. Her mother, Ruth Porter, had grown up very poor and was never able to take dancing lessons. When Tallchief and her sister Marjorie showed interest in dancing their mother immediately placed them in lessons.

Tallchief excelled at dance and music. During her teen years, the family moved to Los Angeles, California in hopes of