Dancing Through Time: Natalia Makarova's Graceful Legacy in Ballet

       Natalia Makarova has been so influential to all dancers across the country and has left an amazing legacy. She continues to this day to pass on her skills and knowledge to future dancers and has been recognized many times for her astonishing techniques and choreography. Makarova’s impact on the ballet world is significant. Her life and career is filled with fascinating stories and achievements. She has gotten many awards and recognitions for her true talent and has my absolute respect. Through researching her, she has truly inspired me to push my limits and to succeed in life while doing what she loves. Makarova winning the best actress in a musical in 1983

      One fact that I found interesting was when the Soviet Union wanted to show just how great Natalia was in their country in reaction to the defected Rudolf Nureyev. She was also the first artistic exile to be invited back to perform in the Soviet Union. She returned to her hometown of Leningrad to perform with the Kirov Ballet on the same stage where she began her successful career. Another fact that I thought was interesting was that Makarova shared her knowledge and expertise in teaching and coaching young dancers and passing down her experience to future generations. A third fact about her was that she was known to be a very versatile dancer, she was known for her versatility excelling in both classical and contemporary ballet. With her large cheekbones, expressive eyes, and willowy limbs, Makarova has become one of the greatest ever to put on a pair of tights and toe shoes.  The DVD cover of when Natalia Makarova and the Kirov Ballet were reunited ...

       Besides Royal Ballet, she also worked for other well-known ballet houses such as the Ballet of the Paris Opera, The National Ballet of Canada, and the Ballet of La Scala in Milan. She was most known in the classical roles in Swan Lake and Gisselle. She acted in many other memorable ballets such as Romeo and Juliet, Song of the Earth, and Sleeping Beauty.  She won the Gold Medal in Varna in 1965 and the Anna Pavlova Award in 1970. Makarova made her Broadway debut in 1983's "On Your Toes," for which she won a Tony Award. She took on the same role for the British stage the following year and was honored with a Laurence Olivier Award (1985). Makarova concentrated on her acting career after reconnecting with the Kirov for numerous performances in the late 1980s. . She actively worked in ballet from the 1950s till her retirement in 1989. She stopped dancing because of injuries, particularly to her knees. After she retired from dancing, she donated her shoes an...

            Natalia Makarova was born November 21, 1940, in Leningrad, U.S.S.R. Most of those who are in the dance industry are continuing their family tradition but Makarova came from a family of scientists so her introduction to the world of dance was through natural talent. She got into ballet school out of luck and got admitted immediately. Natalia began her training at the age of 12 and attended the Leningrad Choreographic School. Despite being older than many of the other females, she soon accounted for lost time, excelling in class and finishing the course in six years rather than the normal nine and always displaying more skill and talent than the ballet required.  After she graduated in 1959, she became one of the members of the Kirov Ballet and achieved prima ballerina status during the 1960s. During her tenure, Makarova was never given any modern or significant roles. During this period, she was offered solo roles but swiftly advanced t...

                   Natalia Makarova is a Russian ballerina considered one of the greatest classical dancers. I wanted to focus my project on Natalia Makarova because she stood out to me as a strong woman and dancer. Her influence was felt on a global level. She had an international impact on the ballet world with her amazing performances and choreography in addition to Russia and the US. Her creative output and artistry aided in bridging the gap between Russian and American ballet traditions. Her legacy has left a huge impact on ballet that even after she stopped performing, Makarova's influence on the ballet community and the dancers she coached lived on through the works she directed and trained. She continues to be an influential figure in ballet history. Her personal and professional journey has made me gravitate towards her as it is filled with drama, innovation, and cultural importance. Natalia Makarova's remarkable ballet c...