Mary Ann Lee facts for kids

Mary Ann Lee (1823–1899) was one of America's first professional ballerinas. A ballerina is a highly skilled female ballet dancer. She was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her parents worked in the theater.

Mary Ann started her dance training in Philadelphia. Her teacher was Paul Hazard from the famous Paris Opéra.

Early Career and Debut

Mary Ann Lee made her first stage appearance in 1837. This first performance is called a "debut." She danced the role of Fatima in a ballet called The Maid of Cashmere. This show was at the Chestnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia.

Another talented dancer, Augusta Maywood, also made her debut in the same show. People loved watching Mary Ann and Augusta dance. They often cheered loudly and threw flowers onto the stage for them.

Training and Tours

Mary Ann continued her dance studies in New York City. She learned from a teacher named James Sylvain. In June 1839, she performed for the first time in New York. This show was at the Bowery Theatre.

Mary Ann was not just a dancer. She also acted in plays called melodramas. These were exciting plays with lots of drama and music. She traveled all over the United States, performing for many audiences.

Later, Mary Ann went to Paris, France, to study more. She learned from a famous Ballet Master named Jean Coralli. A Ballet Master is a person who teaches and creates ballets. When she came back to the United States, she brought new ideas. She also brought instructions for many popular ballets.

Giselle and Retirement

In 1846, Mary Ann Lee made history. She performed the first American show of the famous ballet Giselle. This special performance took place in Boston.

Mary Ann often danced and toured with another dancer, George Washington Smith. She decided to stop dancing professionally in 1847. She was only 24 years old. She retired because of her health.

After retiring, Mary Ann married William Vanhook. He was a merchant from Philadelphia. They had three children together. Mary Ann did return to the stage a few times. Later in her life, she also taught dance to others.

Mary Ann Lee passed away in Philadelphia in 1899. She is buried in Laurel Hill Cemetery. Many people who watched her dance praised her talent. They believed she would have become a world-famous star if she had continued her career.