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