Chloe Misseldine and Isabelle Fokine
dazzled at an open studio performance at
Ballet Support Foundation (BSF) preview
of a new production, Legendary Women: a
performance of short ballets, each about
the life of an influential woman.
Choreographed by eleven female
choreographers, Legendary Women
spotlights Isadora Duncan, Anna Pavlova,
Gabrielle Chanel, Frida Kahlo, Édith
Piaf, Ella Fitzgerald, Maria Callas,
Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Ruth
Bader Ginsburg, and Serena and Venus
Williams. Brainchild of BSF Founder Lola
Abigail Koch, “We are dedicated to
giving dancers and choreographers
opportunities to work,” said Koch,
“Legendary Women honors the women who
inspire the choreographers and
performers, and whose artistry and
accomplishments continue to influence
us.”
In 1905, Michel Fokine created The Dying
Swan for Anna Pavlova. She was 24, the
same age as Misseldine today. Pavlova
popularized ballet, the first ballerina
to tour the world, performing The Dying
Swan over 4,000 times. Today, Isabelle
Fokine, an accomplished choreographer
and former dancer, carries on her
grandfather’s legacy, creating the work
Anna Pavlova for Legendary Women and
Misseldine. “When making this tribute to
Pavlova, I wanted to portray her
travels, as well as her most famous
work, Dying Swan. It was important to
also honor my grandfather's work and
vision.” said Fokine. Displaying
original photographs from Michel’s notes
at the preview, Isabelle is reviving the
dance as it was meant to be seen.
Preview audience members included Herman
Cornejo, ABT Principal; Era Jouravlev,
Artistic Director of Joffrey Ballet
School; and Andrei Jouravlev,
choreographer and dance educator.
Legendary Women, including Anna Pavlova,
will be presented at New York Live Arts
March 24–27, 2027, before touring
throughout the United States the
following year and Europe the year
after.
For more information or to purchase
tickets, visit
https://newyorklivearts.org/event/legendary-women/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Ballet Support Foundation is a nonprofit
dedicated to supporting professional and
emerging ballet dancers while expanding
opportunities for artists on and off the
stage. Founded by former Bolshoi Ballet
dancer and producer Lola Abigail Koch,
BSF provides paid performance
opportunities through galas, tours,
films, master classes, and
collaborations that bring ballet to new
audiences. The Foundation has presented
projects featuring leading dancers from
American Ballet Theatre, New York City
Ballet, The Royal Ballet, Paris Opera
Ballet, Miami City Ballet, and other
companies, while supporting the next
generation of dance. For more
information, visit Ballet Support
Foundation.
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