Ludmilla Chiriaeff

Black and white photo of Ludmilla Chiriaeff wearing a white scarf.
 

Ludmilla Chiriaeff

Founder of Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal
Date of birth
1924
Point of origin
Latvia
Chiareff was born to Russian emigrant parents, survived Nazi internment during the Second World War, and came to Canada in 1952.
Seen here in 1975, Ludmilla Chiriaeff worked later in her career to expand dance instruction into public schools at the primary and secondary levels.
La Presse
Ludmilla Chiriaeff, pictured here in 1967, at the height of her career as a teacher and builder of dance in Canada.
Jack Mitchell via Getty Images

Ludmilla Chiriaeff, 1924-1996, Latvia. 

Chiareff was born to Russian emigrant parents, survived Nazi internment during the Second World War, and came to Canada in 1952. She settled in Montréal and opened a dance school. Her acclaimed dance troupe performed internationally, while her dance programs expanded into public schools. She is a Companion of the Order of Canada.