Roman Jasinski

Roman Jasinski (1907, in Warsaw – 16 April 1991 in Tulsa, Oklahoma) was a Polish ballet dancer who performed from 1933–1950 with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. A premier danseur, he was recognized for his elegance and style. After retiring from performing, he and his wife Moscelyne Larkin founded a ballet school in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and in 1956, the Tulsa Ballet. It is one of numerous regional companies founded by former members of the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo.

Early life and education

Born in Warsaw in 1907, Jasinski began dance studies as a boy. After extensive studies in Warsaw, Jasinski began dancing with Ida Rubinstein's company in 1928.

Career

He next danced with Serge Lifar. In 1933 Jasinski joined the Ballets Russe de Monte-Carlo, where he danced works by the leading choreographers of the time, such as George Balanchine, Michel Fokine, Leonide Massine and Bronislava Nijinska. He was premier danseur with the company from 1933 to 1950.

After 1954, he and his wife Moscelyne Larkin, a ballerina with the same company, retired from performing. They had a child that year and moved to Tulsa. There they founded and directed a school and the Tulsa Ballet 1n 1956. The company had its premier in New York in 1983.[1]

Jasinski is known for having served as a model for the Walt Disney film Fantasia (1940).

Marriage and family

In 1943 he married Moscelyne Larkin, a younger dancer with the company. In 1954 they had a son, Roman Larkin Jasinski.[2]

References

  1. ↑ Jack Anderson, "Roman Jasinski, 83, Ex-Dancer And a Leader in Regional Ballet", New York Times, 17 April 1991, accessed 26 March 2011
  2. ↑ Foster, Toni Annette. Larkin, Moscelyne (1925-). Oklahoma Historical Society's Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History & Culture. 2009 (retrieved 10 February 2009)


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