Maria Ballerina Plush 15in

This little unicorn is named after Maria Tallchief, the first Native American prima ballerina in the United States. Maria was born on the Osage Reservation in Oklahoma. She joined Ballet Russe in 1942 where she met and married George Balanchine! Shortly after they married Balanchine founded the New York City Ballet, where Maria was named Prima Ballerina, or lead ballerina. Maria was the first Sugar Plum Fairy in George Balanchine's The Nutcracker. She also danced in many other ballets including The Firebird and Swan Lake. When she retired from dance she and her sister founded the Chicago City Ballet.