Moscelyne Larkin | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | January 14, 1925 Miami, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Died | April 25, 2012(2012-04-25) (aged 87) Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Occupation | Ballerina |
| Years active | 1941–1954 |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
Edna Moscelyne Larkin Jasinski (January 14, 1925 – April 25, 2012) was an American ballerina and one of the "Five Moons",Native Americanballerinas fromOklahoma who gained international fame in the 20th century.[1] After dancing with theOriginal Ballet Russe and theBallet Russe de Monte Carlo, she and her husband settled inTulsa, Oklahoma, where in 1956 they founded theTulsa Ballet and its associated school. It became a major regional company in theAmerican Southwest and made itsNew York City debut in 1983. She is portrayed in the muralFlight of Spirit displayed in the Rotunda of theOklahoma State Capitol building.
Edna Moscelyne Larkin was born inMiami, Oklahoma in 1925, the only daughter of Eva Matlagova-Larkin, a young dancer from Russia, and Rueben Francis Larkin, an Eastern Shawnee-Peoria Indian.[1] Her mother trained her in ballet until the girl was old enough to move to New York City to further her studies. There she studied under Vincenzo Celli, Mikhail Mordkin, and Anatole Vilzak-Shollar.[2]
In 1941, at age 15, Larkin joined ColonelWassily de Basil'sOriginal Ballet Russe.[3] She performed with the company in Europe and the Americas. While dancing with the company, Larkin met her future husbandRoman Jasinski, apremier danseur fromPoland.[4]
In 1948, she achieved the rank of a ballerina; she and her husband had both moved to theBallet Russe de Monte Carlo, directed bySerge Denham.[3]Radio City Music Hall often showcased her as a prima ballerina.[2] In 1954 Larkin toured Asia, performing inAlexandra Danilova's "Great Movements in Dance". She excelled in comical roles as asoubrette. She played thecan-can dancer inGaîté Parisienne.Agnes de Mille, the choreographer and dancer, admired Larkin's performance as theCowgirl inAaron Copland'sRodeo, a role which was premiered by de Mille.[5]
Larkin married Roman Jasinski in 1943. After they had a son, Roman Larkin Jasinski, on February 21, 1954, they decided to retire from performing. They moved toTulsa, Oklahoma, where they created a ballet school and founded the Tulsa Civic Ballet (later known as theTulsa Ballet). It became a major company in theSouthwest and made its premier in New York in 1983.[6] Larkin introduced area schoolchildren to ballet and also taught ballet to higher-level students at theUniversity of Tulsa.[2]
In 1967,Quapaw-Cherokee composerLouis Ballard wrote the music for the ballet,The Four Moons, for the Oklahoma Indian Ballerina Festival. The ballet honors theFive Moons: Larkin,Yvonne Chouteau,Rosella Hightower, and sistersMaria andMarjorie Tallchief. In its solos, the dancers evoked their four distinct tribal cultures.[7]
Larkin was inducted into theOklahoma Hall of Fame in 1978. In 1988, she received the annualDance Magazine Award. In 1993, she was inducted in theOklahoma Women's Hall of Fame. The Council of American Indians honored her as "Outstanding Indian" that same year.Chickasaw artistMike Larsen included Larkin in his monumental mural,Flight of Spirit, displayed in the Great Rotunda of theOklahoma State Capitol inOklahoma City.[2]
Larkin suffered from Alzheimer's disease and died in Tulsa, Oklahoma, April 25, 2012, frompneumonia. She is survived by her son, Roman Larkin Jasinski.[1]
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
