Karin von Aroldingen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Karin von Aroldingen
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| Born |
Karin Anny Hannelore Reinbold von Aroldingen
9 September 1941 Greiz, Thuringia, Germany
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| Died | 5 January 2018 (aged 76) New York City, U.S.
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| Occupation | Dancer, choreographer, ballet mistress, répétiteur |
| Spouse(s) | Morton Gewirtz |
| Children | 1 |
| Former groups | American Festival Ballet Frankfurt Opera Ballet New York City Ballet |
Karin Anny Hannelore Reinbold von Aroldingen (born September 9, 1941 – died January 5, 2018) was a famous German ballet dancer. She started as a soloist at the Frankfurt Opera Ballet. In 1962, a very important ballet master named George Balanchine personally invited her to join the New York City Ballet.
Karin became a principal dancer, which is a top dancer, in 1972. She retired from the New York City Ballet in 1984. Later in her life, she helped create the Balanchine Trust. She also worked as a répétiteur, which means she helped other dance companies learn and perform Balanchine's ballets exactly as he created them.
Early Life and Training
Karin von Aroldingen was born on September 9, 1941, in Greiz, Germany. Her family was from Berlin but moved away during World War II. Her father, a scientist, disappeared during a work trip. After the war, her mother moved the family to West Berlin.
Karin became interested in dancing when she was nine years old. She tried out for a private ballet school and won an eight-year scholarship. When she was ten, she was chosen from many dancers to play the main role in The Little Match Girl. She trained in Russian ballet, modern dance, and folk dance.
Her Amazing Dance Career
When Karin was sixteen, she joined the American Festival Ballet for eight months. There, she met Tatjana Gsovsky, who hired her to dance with the Frankfurt Opera Ballet. Her first main role was in The Seven Deadly Sins. She was later promoted to first soloist at the Frankfurt Opera Ballet.
In 1962, she met George Balanchine at an audition. He invited her to join the New York City Ballet. Her first performance with them was as a monster in Igor Stravinsky's The Firebird. Her next role was as a demi-soloist in Georges Bizet's Symphony in C.
Karin was promoted to soloist in 1967. In 1972, she became a principal dancer. She was the first female lead in Stravinsky Violin Concerto. She danced a special duet with Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux. She also danced important roles like the Siren in Balanchine's The Prodigal Son. She played Titiana in A Midsummer Night's Dream. Other roles included the Emeralds walking duet in Jewels and a main part in Serenade.
When she was in her mid-twenties, Karin started teaching children's classes. She did this at the School of American Ballet while still dancing with the company.
New Roles Created for Her
As a principal dancer, eighteen new roles were created just for Karin. These were in ballets like Who Cares?, Union Jack, and Vienna Waltzes. Jerome Robbins, another famous choreographer, also created a role for her in The Goldberg Variations.
Throughout her career, she danced with many well-known male dancers. These included Peter Martins, Mel Tomlinson, and Sean Lavery.
Karin retired from dancing on stage in 1984. After that, she helped start the Balanchine Trust. In 2004, she joined the New York City Ballet's artistic staff as a ballet master. She retired from this role in 2016.
Personal Life
Karin von Aroldingen married Morton Gewirtz. They had one daughter, named Margo.
She also enjoyed painting. During times when she wasn't dancing, she studied art at the Art Students League of New York.
When George Balanchine passed away in 1983, Karin was one of the people he left things to in his will. She received money from 37 of his ballets, which she shared with his assistant. She also inherited an apartment in Manhattan and Balanchine's car. She was given the rights to six of his ballets. These included Serenade, Stravinsky Violin Concerto, and Vienna Waltzes. Karin used to give cuttings from a special rubber plant to other dancers. This plant had been given to her by Balanchine himself.
Karin von Aroldingen passed away at her home in Manhattan on January 5, 2018. She was 76 years old.
