2 3 Throwback Thursday and Moscelyne Larkin | Ballet Webb

Thursday, October 13, 2016

Throwback Thursday and Moscelyne Larkin



Throwback Thursday and Moscelyne Larkin

Born on January 14, 1925, Edna Moscelyne Larkin was the daughter of Eva Matlagova and Ruben Larkin. Her mother was a Russian dancer who had toured in American, and her father was of Welsh and Shawnee-Peoria descent.

She studied during the summers in New York and at age 15 auditioned for Col. W. de Basil’s Ballets Russe. She got the job and her name was changed the Moussia Larkina because at that time, Russian names were believed to be better publicity for dancers. In 1955 the British critic P.W. Manchester said of her: “She is tiny and sparkling, with a magnificent jump and a spectacular way with turns.”

While on tour in Latin American, she met a handsome Polish dancer named Roman Jasinski and they were married when she was 19. The marriage lasted until his death in 1991.

After performing with the Ballets Russe the Jasinskis retired and moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma. Here they began teaching at Ms. Larkin’s mother’s school. This school became the Tulsa Ballet company.

Moscelyne Larkin died in April, 2012, at the age of 87.

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:
Dance History Factoid #130:  
“Moscelyne Larkin was one of five dancers called the Indian ballerinas of Oklahoma.”

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Quote of the Day:
“My father used to say that stories are part of the most precious heritage of mankind.”
Tahir Shah    

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