Ballerina. Irish-born British dancer, choreographer, director and teacher. Founder of the Royal Ballet and one of the great figures in 20th century dance. She studied in London with Lila Field, Edouard Espinosa and Cecchetti, later with Nikolai Legat. She made her debut dancing in he pantomime 'Jack and the Beanstalk' in 1914 in the Lyceum Theatre in London. These pantomimes and Revues provided her early employment. In 1919 she appeared at Covent Garden in the Opera season and appeared as a principal in the London season with Massine-Lopokova Company. She joined Diaghilev's Ballet Russe in 1923 and stayed there until 1925. She created many roles such as 'Les Biches', 'Le Train bleu' and Balanchine's 'Le Rossignol'. She was made a Dame in 1951 and given the following awards. Chevalier de la Legion, 1950. Erasmus Prize, 1974. Companion of Honour, 1983 and Order of Merit in 1992. She founded Sadler's Well's Ballet which is now the Birmingham Royal ballet. De Valois choreographed many ballets including 'The Haunted Ballroom', 'The Rake's Progress', 'Checkmate' and many others. Author of 'Invitation to the Ballet', 'Step by Step' and 'Come Dance with Me.' Fondly know through out the ballet world as 'Madame'.
Ballerina. Irish-born British dancer, choreographer, director and teacher. Founder of the Royal Ballet and one of the great figures in 20th century dance. She studied in London with Lila Field, Edouard Espinosa and Cecchetti, later with Nikolai Legat. She made her debut dancing in he pantomime 'Jack and the Beanstalk' in 1914 in the Lyceum Theatre in London. These pantomimes and Revues provided her early employment. In 1919 she appeared at Covent Garden in the Opera season and appeared as a principal in the London season with Massine-Lopokova Company. She joined Diaghilev's Ballet Russe in 1923 and stayed there until 1925. She created many roles such as 'Les Biches', 'Le Train bleu' and Balanchine's 'Le Rossignol'. She was made a Dame in 1951 and given the following awards. Chevalier de la Legion, 1950. Erasmus Prize, 1974. Companion of Honour, 1983 and Order of Merit in 1992. She founded Sadler's Well's Ballet which is now the Birmingham Royal ballet. De Valois choreographed many ballets including 'The Haunted Ballroom', 'The Rake's Progress', 'Checkmate' and many others. Author of 'Invitation to the Ballet', 'Step by Step' and 'Come Dance with Me.' Fondly know through out the ballet world as 'Madame'.
Bio by: Medora
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