D'Antuono, Eleanor (1939–)

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D'Antuono, Eleanor (1939–)

American ballet dancer. Born 1939 in Cambridge, Massachusetts; studied dance with Maria Papporello and E. Virginia Williams.

Began professional career with Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo (c. 1953); joined American Ballet Theatre (ABT) as soloist (1961), becoming principal dancer (1963); won popular and critical acclaim in her 20 years there; was 1st American ballerina to appear as guest artist with Kirov Ballet, in Giselle (1978) and Swan Lake (1979), and with Chinese companies; served as artistic director for Festival Dance Theatre, artistic advisor to New Jersey Ballet, resident coach and artistic advisor for Nutmeg Ballet, and artistic director for New York International Ballet Competition. Alvin Ailey was among the many leading choreographers who created original roles for her ("Giggling Rapids," in his ballet The River, 1970).

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