John Taras
John Taras (born April 18, 1919 in New York City , † April 2, 2004 ) was an American choreographer and ballet master .
Life
John Taras, the son of Ukrainian immigrants, began his career with a Ukrainian folk dance group when he was nine. At the age of 16 he began studying classical ballet. One of his teachers was the famous dancer and choreographer Michel Fokine .
He first worked with George Balanchine in 1939 while dancing for the Ford Motor Company Show at the World's Fair . In 1956 he choreographed the ballet "Fanfare for a Prince" at the Monte Carlo Opera in honor of the wedding of Prince Rainier of Monaco with Grace Kelly .
After working on various projects, mainly in Europe, he returned to New York in 1959 and became George Balanchine's assistant and ballet master at the New York City Ballet . He was Artistic Director of the Paris Opera Ballet (1969–1970) and Artistic Director of the Berlin Ballet. From 1984 to 1990 he was an associate director of the American Ballet Theater .
Web links
- Obituary on www.guardian.co.uk . (accessed March 15, 2009)
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Taras, John |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American choreographer and ballet master |
| DATE OF BIRTH | April 18, 1919 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | New York City |
| DATE OF DEATH | April 2, 2004 |
| Place of death | New York City |