Betty Maria Tallchief

Betty Maria Tallchief left the Osage Indian Tribe when she was 17. She became a prima ballerina with the New York City Ballet.

Betty Tallchief was born in Fairfax, Oklahoma. Her father was Chief of the Osage tribe. Her mother was Scottish. Betty started dancing when she was young and she was on toe shoes before she was four. When she was eight she moved to Los Angeles. Her new ballet teacher was horrified because Betty was already on point. She'd have to teach her all over again, but Betty was determined to learn! Betty left home when she was 17. She looked for a job with a ballet company in New York. Betty got a chance with Ballet Russe de Monto Carlo. Betty was brilliant! She was soon given her own parts to dance. The director wanted her to get a new stage name. Her name was changed to Maria Tallchief. The company became the New York City Ballet. Maria was the prima ballerina! George Ballanche wrote many special ballets for Maria such as "Firebird". Audiences were amazed by her skill. In 1966, Maria decided to retire from ballet. She is still alive right this minute, and inspiring young people to do ballet!

1998, by Veronica, fourth grade

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