Maria Tallchief, born Elizabeth Marie Tall Chief (𐓏𐒰𐓐𐒿𐒷-𐓍𐓂͘𐓄𐒰 "Two-Standards"; Osage family name: Ki He Kah Stah Tsa, Osage script: 𐒼𐒱𐒹𐒻𐒼𐒰-𐓆𐓈𐒷𐓊𐒷; January 24, 1925 – April 11, 2013), was an American ballerina. She was America's first major prima ballerina and the first Osage Tribe member to hold the rank.

Apr 2, 2014 · Maria Tallchief was the first Native American (Osage Tribe) woman to break into ballet. Tallchief grew up in Los Angeles, California, where she studied ballet for many years....

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. Her father was a member of the Osage Nation.

Jan 21, 2025 · Maria Tallchief was a ballet dancer whose exquisite technique was enhanced by her energy, speed, and grace. Considered one of the greatest ballerinas of the United States, she was also the muse of choreographer George Balanchine.

Nov 19, 2023 · For Maria Tallchief, widely considered America's first major prima ballerina, dance was nothing short of an enchanting experience.

Maria Tallchief is a world-renowned ballerina and one of the premiere (first-ranking) American ballerinas of all time. She was the first American to dance at the Paris Opera and has danced with the Paris Opera Ballet, the Ballet Russe, and the Balanchine Ballet Society, later renamed the New York City Ballet.

Dec 12, 2018 · Maria Tallchief’s talent and persistence allowed her to conquer stereotypes both at home and abroad and become a record-breaking dance star and America’s very first prima ballerina. The Osage tribe had been forced farther and farther from their homeland in modern-day Missouri ever since the Trail of Tears.

Nov 19, 2019 · One of the most celebrated Native American women of the 20th century, Tallchief was the first American dancer in the history of ballet to earn international fame. She was born Elizabeth Marie Tallchief on January 24, 1925, in Fairfax, Oklahoma, a small town located on the Osage Indian reservation.

Jan 18, 2025 · Maria Tallchief and her sister, Marjorie, 1960. (Photo Credit: Evening Standard / Hulton Archive / Getty Images) Maria Tallchief was the first Native American to break into professional ballet, and her legacy continues to inspire both dancers and audiences; even though she passed in 2013, her achievements left a permanent mark. Speaking about her love for …

Oct 27, 2023 · Maria Tallchief refused to abandon her Osage Nation roots—and came to symbolize a new era for American ballet. Now, she’s been recognized with a U.S. quarter in her honor.