Maria Tall Chief

Our Daily Grace!!! 

January 24, 1925 – On this day, Maria Tall Chief was born and the world was graced. 

Maria Tall Chief was an American ballerina. She was considered America's first major prima ballerina, and was the first Native American to hold the rank. Almost from birth, Tall Chief was involved in dance, starting formal lessons at age three. When she was eight, her family relocated from her birth home of Fairfax, Oklahoma, to Los Angeles, California, to advance her career. At age 17, she moved to New York City in search of a spot with a major ballet company. She spent the next five years with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, where she met legendary choreographer George Balanchine. When Balanchine co-founded what would become the New York City Ballet in 1946, Tallchief became the company's first star. 

In celebration of the birthday of Maria Tall Chief , Amazing Grace is dressed as a prima ballerina. 

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