Alexandra Danilova Collection, 1920-2000 Span: 1920-1990s Bulk: 1933-1951 English collection 30 ft. 46 boxes Dancer and teacher, Alexandra Danilova (Aleksandra Dionisievna Danilova; born 20 November 1903 in Peterhof, Russia, died 13 July 1997 in New York City) was one of the most famous and well-respected ballerinas of the twentieth century. Known for her commanding stage presence, Danilova entered the ballet section of the Imperial Theater School, Saint Petersburg, graduating in 1920. During the early 1920s she danced for the State Academic Theater for Opera and Ballet and took part in the avant-garde dance movement by dancing in several of George Balanchine's and Fedor Lupukhov's experimental works. While in Paris, Danilova auditioned for Serge Diaghilev and, in 1924, joined Diaghilev's Ballets Russes and remained with the company until 1929. She then danced with the Monte Carlo Opera Ballet; Colonel Wassily de Basil's Ballets Russes de Monte-Carlo, and the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. In the late 1950s, Danilova began to stage ballets and, in 1964, she joined the faculty of the School of American Ballet, where she taught until her retirement in 1989. Photographs (2,200); correspondence (800); writings by Danilova; programs (79); clippings; awards and honors; subject files; writings by others (17); printed material; artwork; audiovisual materials. Alexandra Danilova Collection, Music Division, Library of Congress Danilova A collection of materials that detail the career and accomplishments of one of the premier ballerinas of the twentieth century. Researchers wishing to work with special collections are advised to inquire in advance about availability of material since many special collections are stored off-site. Certain restrictions to use or copying of materials may apply. Dance Ballet Women in the Performing Arts Danilova, Alexandra School of American Ballet ML31.D37 Performing Arts Encyclopedia scdb Music Division, Library of Congress http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.music/eadmus.mu006004 IHAS 120229 loc.natlib.scdb.200033826