Danilova, Alexandra (dänē`lōvä), 1904?–97, Russian-American ballerina. She entered (1923) the Imperial Ballet School, St. Petersburg, was a member (1924–29) of Diaghilev Diaghilev, Sergei Pavlovich (syĭrgā` päv`ləvĭch dyä`gĭlyĭf)
..... Click the link for more information. 's Ballet Russe, and prima ballerina (1938-58) of the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. She toured with her own company and, after retiring, lectured, choreographed, and taught dance. She taught at the School of American Ballet.

Danilova, Alexandra (Dionisyevna)

Alexandra Danilova in Swan Lake.

(credit: The Bettmann Archive)

(born Nov. 20, 1903, Peterhof, Russia—died July 13, 1997, New York, N.Y., U.S.) Russian-born U.S. ballet dancer and teacher. She attended the Imperial Ballet School in St. Petersburg and became a soloist at the Mariinsky Theatre. In 1924 she joined the Ballets Russes. From 1938 to 1952 she danced with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, touring worldwide as its prima ballerina. She created leading roles in The Triumph of Neptune, Gaîté Parisienne, Swan Lake, and Coppélia. After retiring in 1957 she became a full-time faculty member at the School of American Ballet (1964–89). She was instrumental in bringing classical and modern Russian repertoires to the U.S.