Maria Tallchief
Maria Tallchief was a groundbreaking American ballerina who shattered barriers for Native American women in the world of ballet.
Who Was Maria Tallchief?
Maria Tallchief, a member of the Osage Tribe, was the first Native American woman to achieve prominence in ballet. Raised in Los Angeles, California, she dedicated many years to studying ballet. Her illustrious career spanned the globe, including a brief marriage to renowned choreographer George Balanchine.
Early Life and Career
Born Elizabeth Marie Tall Chief on January 24, 1925, in Fairfax, Oklahoma, Tallchief emerged as one of America’s leading ballerinas from the 1940s to the 1960s. As the daughter of an Osage tribe member, she blazed a trail for Native Americans in ballet. Tallchief honed her skills in Los Angeles, studying under Ernest Belcher and Bronislava Nijinska.
In the 1940s, Tallchief performed with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo and adopted the professional name Maria Tallchief. In 1947, she became the first prima ballerina of the New York City Ballet (NYCB), a position she held for 13 years. That same year, she became the first American to dance with the Paris Opera Ballet. Besides her engagements with the NYCB and Paris Opera Ballet, she also performed with the American Ballet Theatre.
During this period, Tallchief met and married the legendary choreographer George Balanchine in 1946. Although their marriage ended in 1951, their professional collaboration flourished. After joining the NYCB in 1948, Tallchief frequently danced to Balanchine’s choreography.
Famed Ballerina
Tallchief quickly rose to prominence in ballet, starring in productions such as “Orpheus,” “Scotch Symphony,” “Miss Julie,” “Firebird,” and “The Nutcracker,” where she famously performed as the Sugar Plum Fairy. She created iconic roles in “Orpheus” and “Scotch Symphony,” choreographed by Balanchine. Her performances earned her critical acclaim for her technical precision, musicality, and strength.
In 1957, Tallchief married Henry Paschen. After their daughter, Elise, was born in 1959, Tallchief took a brief hiatus from ballet but eagerly returned to the stage. She continued to perform until her retirement in 1965. Subsequently, she became a ballet instructor and served as artistic director for the Lyric Opera Ballet. Later, she founded and became the artistic director of the Chicago City Ballet.
Awards
In 1996, Tallchief was honored with the Kennedy Center Honors for her artistic contributions. That same year, she was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame.
In 1999, Tallchief received the National Medal of Arts, the highest award given to artists and arts patrons by the U.S. government. This award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the excellence, growth, support, and availability of the arts in the United States. Other notable recipients include Mikhail Baryshnikov, Harry Belafonte, and Cab Calloway.
Death and Legacy
Maria Tallchief passed away on April 11, 2013, at the age of 88, in Chicago, Illinois. She is survived by her daughter, Elise Paschen, her sister and fellow ballerina, Marjorie Tallchief, and two grandchildren.
Following her mother’s death, Paschen reflected on Tallchief’s legacy as a Native American ballet dancer, teacher, and artistic director: “My mother was a ballet legend who was proud of her Osage heritage,” she said. “Her dynamic presence lit up the room. I will miss her passion, commitment to her art, and devotion to her family. She raised the bar high and strove for excellence in everything she did.”
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