Maria Tallchief Research Paper

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Maria Tallchief, or Betty Marie as she was referred to by her friends and family, was, and still is, one of the most recognized figures in ballet. Her fame is comparable to Rudolf Nureyev’s or Misty Copeland’s in that she was a revolutionary figure who helped expand the definition of what it means to be a ballerina. During the American Old West period, Maria’s grandfather helped settle a treaty with the U.S. government that gave the Osage tribe land in Oklahoma, which ties her to the Wild West. Maria became America’s first prima ballerina by becoming the prima (main) ballerina for the NYC Ballet Company, along with becoming the highest paid dancer ever of her time. Her career lasted 18 years, dancing for a multitude of companies, but the consistent

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