Novak, Nina (1927–)

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Novak, Nina (1927–)

Polish ballet dancer. Born in Warsaw, Poland, in 1927; trained at ballet school of Warsaw Opera; studied with Bronislava Nijinska, Leon Woizikowski, and others; m. Roman Rojas Cabot (Venezuelan diplomat), 1962; settled in Caracas, Venezuela.

Came to US to perform with Polish Representative Ballet at NY World's Fair(1939); remained in US (1939–48); began dancing solo with Ballets Russe de Monte Carlo (1948); promoted to ballerina (1952), continued working with the Ballets Russe for next 9 years, creating a role in Birthday (1949) and winning acclaim for featured roles in The Nutcracker, Le Beau Danube, Coppélia and Ballet Imperial; had her own company, Academia de Ballet Clásico Venezolano (Venezuelan Classical Ballet Co.), in Caracas (1964–84); became director of the classical repertoire at the Teresa Carreno Complex (1985).