Part of the 3rd Grade East She Persisted Series

Introduction

This is a story of one of the best prima ballerinas.This is a story about her life. This is a story of what she did. This is a story about Maria Tallchief.

Early Years

Maria was born in 1925. Maria was a girl who loved music. She’d play piano for four hours everyday. She even did ballet and  piano at the same time before she had to pick one over the other. She moved to LA saying the ocean waves scared her because of the loud noises.

Life as an Adult 

When Maria graduated high school in 1942 her father wanted her to get a real job. Her first job was dancing in a movie called “Presenting Lily Mars.” The star of the movie was Judy Garland. Then she traveled to New York to see if she could  join the famous ballet company, but she was disappointed. They said they didn’t need any more dancers. Maria was so sad she cried. Later the ballet Russes went on tour. Then one day one of the dancers quit so the teacher of the Russes ballet put her in for the job. Maria died in 2013.    

Accomplishments

Maria performed as soloist in Chopin Concerto with ballet Russes. This was her moment, the time that she could dance a little longer. She danced the same dance in New York. She made it into the New York Times newspaper.                                                 

Conclusion  

Maria Tallchief was one of the best dancers in the world, someone we will never forget. How she persisted will change the world too.

“Above all, I wanted to be appreciated as a prima ballerina who happened to be a Native American, never as someone who was an American who was an Indian Ballerina.”

– Maria Tallchief