Throwback Thursday and Nina Novak
Nina Novak was born in Warsaw, Poland, and began her dance
training at age eight at the Warsaw Opera Ballet School. She studied with many
famous dancers including Bronislava Nijinska. In 1948 she came to New York and
joined the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, rising through the ranks from soloist
to Prima Ballerina. She also choreographed, and her first work, Variations Classique, stayed in the
repertoire of the Ballet Russe for many years.
In 1964 she created her own company in Caracas, Venezuela
called the Venezuelan Classical Ballet
Company. Here she trained many young
dancers including Alexis Zubiria who competed in the International Ballet
Competition in Jackson, Mississippi.
In 1987 the President of the Republic bestowed upon Nina
Novak the Order of Andres Bello of the First Order. Novak also served on the 2002 and 2006 juries for the USA International
Ballet Competition.
From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:
Dance History Factoid #98:
“Nina Novak was a
dancer with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo.”
Link of the Day:
Quote
of the Day:
“Whoever wants to study ballet must, first
of all, have the physical and mental ability and must really love this art. You
have to be disciplined. Ballet is not only a profession; it's a vocation.”
-Nina Novak
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