Olenewa, Maria (1893–1965)

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Olenewa, Maria (1893–1965)

Russian ballet dancer and teacher. Born Mar 28, 1893, in Moscow, Russia; died May 15, 1965, in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Because of Russian Revolution, moved to Paris (1917), where she performed at Théâtre des Champs-Elysées with Maria Kuznetsova's company; toured US and South America with company of Anna Pavlova (1921); danced with Vienna Opera Ballet in Austria; served as director for Leonid Massine's corps de ballet in Buenos Aires, Argentina (1922–24); founded ballet school Teatro Pincipale in Rio de Janeiro and served as ballet master there (1927); worked as head of ballet school in Sao Paolo (c. 1943–57), where she opened her own school (c. 1957); was considered a major influence upon development of ballet training in South America; choreographed numerous works presenting unique style of Spanish dance.