Five Moons Dance Festival
A Celebration of Dance, Culture, and Native American Heritage
The Five Moons Dance Festival is a beloved annual event hosted by the OU School of Dance that honors the legacies of Oklahoma’s renowned Native American dancers and performers. Through dance, dialogue, and community celebration, the festival brings together artists, tribal nations, and the University to celebrate the powerful intersection of culture and performance.
What to Expect
Each year, the festival features a mix of performances, panel discussions, art markets, and cultural gatherings. From acclaimed ballet companies to community-led events, the weekend offers a meaningful exploration of Native American identity and artistic legacy.
Stay Tuned
Planning is underway for the next Five Moons Dance Festival! We invite you to check back soon for updates and announcements. You won’t want to miss this moving tribute to the individuals who shaped the future of music and dance.
Introducing the Five Moons
Yvonne Chouteau
March 7, 1929 – January 24, 2016
Yvonne Chouteau (Shawnee) was born in Fort Worth, Texas and raised in Vinita, Oklahoma. She made her debut with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo at the young age of 14 and danced with the company for 14 years. In 1960, Chouteau became an artist in residence at the University of Oklahoma and established the Department of Dance, now known as the OU School of Dance, with her husband, Miguel Terekhov. She also founded Oklahoma City Civic Ballet, now known as Oklahoma City Ballet, in 1963.
Moscelyne Larkin
January 14, 1925 – April 25, 2012
Moscelyne Larkin (Peoria/Eastern Shawnee) was born in Miami, Oklahoma. At 15 years of age, she was accepted into and danced with the renowned Original Ballet Russe and the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo companies. She and her husband, Roman Jasinski, founded the Tulsa Civic Ballet in 1956, later to become Tulsa Ballet Theatre. She organized the first Oklahoma Indian Ballerina Festival in 1957, where four of the Five Moons performed to honor their heritage. In 1991, she was awarded an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts from the University of Tulsa for her international dancing achievements.
Maria Tallchief
January 24, 1925 – April 11, 2013
Maria Tallchief (Osage) was born in Fairfax, Oklahoma, just five miles away from one of the Osage Nation’s three cultural districts. She danced with the renowned Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo company in the 1940s. Tallchief is widely considered to be America’s first prima ballerina. She was a principal dancer with George Balanchine’s New York City Ballet, where he created several title roles for her. In 1980, Tallchief co-founded the Chicago City Ballet with her sister, Marjorie. June 29 is known as “Maria Tallchief Day” in Oklahoma.
Marjorie Tallchief
October 19, 1926 – November 30, 2021
Marjorie Tallchief (Osage) was born in Denver and spent her childhood in Fairfax, Oklahoma with her sister, Maria. She danced with various companies, including Ballet Theatre (now known as American Ballet Theatre), the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo and the Harkness Ballet. Tallchief was the first Native American dancer to become a premiere danseuse etoile at the world-renowned Paris Opera Ballet. She served as the director of dance at Harid Conservatory in Boca Raton, Florida from 1989 to 1993. The University of Oklahoma in Norman presented Tallchief with a distinguished service award in 1992.
Rosella Hightower
January 10, 1920 – November 4, 2008
Rosella Hightower (Choctaw) was born in Durwood, Oklahoma. She danced with several influential companies including the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, Ballet Theatre, Rene Blum’s Original Ballet Russe and Grand Ballet du Marquis de Cuevas. In 1962, Hightower founded the Center for Classical Dance in Cannes, France and in 1981, she became the first American director of the world-renowned Paris Opera Ballet.