Professional Dancer. She was a noted Danish-born ballet dancer and teacher. She studied at the Royal Danish Ballet School from 1939 and joined the company in 1948, becoming a solo dancer in 1950. She had a powerful technique and strong lines, which were showcased in H. Lander's ballet "Etudes" after inheriting the role from Margot Lander. That same year she married Harald Lander, and in 1951, at age 20, she left Denmark and moved with him to Paris, where she continued her studies with Egorova and Preobrajenska. Between 1951 and 1952, she was a guest artist with Original Ballet Russe and between 1951 and 1954 with the Paris Opera. She regularly made appearances with the London Festival Ballet as a principal. Also, she was with Ballet Theatre Francais and, in 1960, the American Ballet Theatre. While in Utah in 1976, she was the principal teacher of Salt Lake City's Ballet West company. She retired from the stage in 1976, eventually returning to Denmark to become a teacher with the Royal Danish Ballet. In 1966 she married dancer Bruce Marks after divorcing H. Lander. Born Toni Pihl Petersen, she used Lander as a professional surname for her entire career. In 1957 she was made Knight of the Dannebrog for her contribution to the Danish performing arts.
Professional Dancer. She was a noted Danish-born ballet dancer and teacher. She studied at the Royal Danish Ballet School from 1939 and joined the company in 1948, becoming a solo dancer in 1950. She had a powerful technique and strong lines, which were showcased in H. Lander's ballet "Etudes" after inheriting the role from Margot Lander. That same year she married Harald Lander, and in 1951, at age 20, she left Denmark and moved with him to Paris, where she continued her studies with Egorova and Preobrajenska. Between 1951 and 1952, she was a guest artist with Original Ballet Russe and between 1951 and 1954 with the Paris Opera. She regularly made appearances with the London Festival Ballet as a principal. Also, she was with Ballet Theatre Francais and, in 1960, the American Ballet Theatre. While in Utah in 1976, she was the principal teacher of Salt Lake City's Ballet West company. She retired from the stage in 1976, eventually returning to Denmark to become a teacher with the Royal Danish Ballet. In 1966 she married dancer Bruce Marks after divorcing H. Lander. Born Toni Pihl Petersen, she used Lander as a professional surname for her entire career. In 1957 she was made Knight of the Dannebrog for her contribution to the Danish performing arts.
Bio by: Medora
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