Elissa Minet Fuchs | |
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Born | Elise Minette Levy March 10, 1919 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
Died | February 17, 2023 | (aged 103)
Occupations |
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Years active | 1935–2000 |
Spouse | Peter Paul Fuchs |
Children | 1 |
Career | |
Former groups |
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Elissa Minet Fuchs (born Elise Minette Levy; March 10, 1919 – February 17, 2023) was an American ballerina and choreographer. Her career started in 1935 on the vaudeville stage and nightclub circuit, leading to gigs as a chorus girl on Broadway. With the fear of rising antisemitism around the world, she changed her name to appear French and conceal her Jewish identity. In 1937, she joined the Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo and danced with the company for one season. From 1938 to 1950, she danced with the resident ballet company at the Metropolitan Opera, retiring as a soloist. Fuchs founded and directed the Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre in Louisiana and worked as the artistic director, ballet mistress, and choreographer at Greensboro Ballet in North Carolina.