Alexandra Danilova lived a long, adventurous and multi-faceted life. A prima ballerina who exuded an intense perfume throughout that entire life, she is remembered as a force of nature, and with real joy and genuine affection by all who knew her, learned from her, or simply knew who she was.
Born in Czarist Russia, fleeing the Soviet Revolution alongside George Balanchine, she danced for decades more, on international stages as well as Broadway and Hollywood. Her work as a teacher at the School of American Ballet is legendary, as were her diaphanous dance skirts, beribboned ballet slippers, glamorous make-up and perfectly coiffed hair. In 1974, she collaborated with Balanchine to restage the first two acts of his new production of Coppelia, in the process coaching one of her most famous roles. Her appearance in the iconic dance film The Turning Point, basically playing herself, preserves forever her unmistakable speaking voice and enchanting manner.
