Preobrajenska, Olga

Preobrajenska, Olga

 orig. Olga Yosifovna Preobrazhenskaya

(born Feb. 2, 1871, St. Petersburg, Russia—died Dec. 27, 1962, Saint-Mandé, Fr.) Russian ballerina and teacher. She joined the Mariinsky Ballet (see Mariinsky Theatre) in 1889 and earned the title of prima ballerina in 1900. Her lyrical creativity and love of improvisation were praised by audiences and critics. She also taught at the Imperial Theatre School (1901–02 and 1914–21, during which time the school was renamed the Petrograd State Ballet School). As an instructor, she helped to form the next generation of Russian dancers. In 1922 she emigrated from Russia and taught at her own ballet school in Paris (1923–60).