Born in London as Alicia Marks in 1910, Markova was “Russianized” when she joined Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes at the age of 14. After Diaghilev’s death, she returned to London and became integrally involved in British ballet’s formative years. Together with Anton Dolin, she established the Markova-Dolin Ballet, and then relocated to the U.S. to dance with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo and American Ballet Theatre. During this time, she again teamed up with Dolin to direct the 1941 season at Jacob’s Pillow, recruiting many Ballet Theatre dancers to be in residence and performing herself on a number of different programs. Markova was named a Dame of the Order of the British Empire in 1963. Her involvement with the Pillow continued for the rest of her life, culminating in her role as honorary co-chair of the 65th Anniversary Season in 1997.
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