The artistry and legacies of extraordinary women took center stage as Chloe Misseldine and Isabelle Fokine dazzled at an open studio performance hosted by Ballet Support Foundation (BSF), offering an exclusive preview of Legendary Women, an ambitious new ballet production celebrating influential women whose achievements continue to shape the worlds of art, culture, entertainment, sports, and society.
Chloe Misseldine, Isabelle Fokine Photos by Sean Zanni
Conceived by Ballet Support Foundation founder Lola Abigail Koch, Legendary Women brings together 11 female choreographers, each creating a short ballet inspired by the life and legacy of a remarkable woman. The production celebrates an extraordinary range of figures, including legendary ballerina Isadora Duncan, ballet icon Anna Pavlova, fashion designer Gabrielle Chanel, artist Frida Kahlo, singer Édith Piaf, jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald, opera star Maria Callas, Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe, actress Audrey Hepburn, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and tennis champions Serena and Venus Williams.
Through movement, music, and storytelling, the production explores the lasting influence of women whose creativity, determination, and accomplishments transcended their respective fields.
“We are dedicated to giving dancers and choreographers opportunities to work,” Koch explained. “Legendary Women honors the women who inspire the choreographers and performers, and whose artistry and accomplishments continue to influence us.”
Isabelle Fokine Revives the Legacy of Anna Pavlova
Among the highlights of the preview was the work dedicated to Anna Pavlova, one of the most influential ballerinas in history. Choreographed by Isabelle Fokine, an accomplished choreographer and former dancer, the piece pays tribute to Pavlova’s extraordinary career while honoring the artistic legacy of Fokine’s grandfather, renowned choreographer Michel Fokine.
Isabelle Fokine, Nicole Boutmy de Katzmann, Lola Koch Photos by Sean Zanni
In 1905, Michel Fokine created The Dying Swan for Pavlova, a performance that would become one of the most celebrated works in classical ballet. Pavlova helped bring ballet to international audiences, becoming a pioneering touring ballerina who reportedly performed The Dying Swan more than 4,000 times.
The connection between Pavlova’s legacy and today’s ballet world was particularly striking during the preview. Misseldine is the same age Pavlova was when Michel Fokine created the iconic solo: 24.
For Isabelle Fokine, the opportunity to revisit her grandfather’s work offered a meaningful way to connect ballet history with a new generation of performers and audiences.
“When making this tribute to Pavlova, I wanted to portray her travels, as well as her most famous work, Dying Swan. It was important to also honor my grandfather’s work and vision,” Fokine said.
The choreographer displayed original photographs drawn from Michel Fokine’s notes during the preview, offering insight into the historical material informing her interpretation. Her approach seeks to revive the dance in keeping with its original artistic vision while presenting Pavlova’s story to contemporary audiences.
Chloe Misseldine Photos by Sean Zanni
Misseldine’s performance brought the tribute to life, highlighting the enduring expressive power of classical ballet and the extraordinary influence of a ballerina whose artistry helped introduce the form to audiences around the world.
Ballet Support Foundation Champions the Next Generation of Artists
The open studio performance also underscored Ballet Support Foundation’s commitment to preserving ballet’s rich heritage while creating meaningful opportunities for emerging and established artists.
Founded by former Bolshoi Ballet dancer and producer Lola Abigail Koch, BSF is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting professional and emerging ballet dancers and expanding opportunities for artists both on and off the stage.
Through galas, tours, films, master classes, and creative collaborations, the foundation provides paid performance opportunities and introduces ballet to broader audiences. Its projects have featured leading dancers from American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, The Royal Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet, Miami City Ballet, and other internationally recognized companies.
The Legendary Women preview attracted prominent figures from the dance community, including Herman Cornejo, principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre; Era Jouravlev, artistic director of Joffrey Ballet School; and Andrei Jouravlev, choreographer and dance educator.
Their presence reflected the production’s connection to a wider artistic community dedicated to celebrating ballet’s past while investing in its future.
‘Legendary Women’ Comes to New York Live Arts in 2027
Following its preview, Legendary Women, including the Anna Pavlova tribute, is scheduled to be presented at New York Live Arts from March 24-27, 2027. The production will subsequently tour throughout the United States in 2028, followed by a European tour in 2029.
By bringing together iconic women from diverse disciplines and generations, the production offers a compelling celebration of female achievement through the universal language of dance. From Pavlova’s groundbreaking contributions to ballet to the cultural influence of Chanel, Kahlo, Hepburn, and the Williams sisters, each work reflects a distinctive story of talent, resilience, and lasting impact.
With Lola Abigail Koch’s vision, Isabelle Fokine’s connection to ballet history, and Chloe Misseldine’s performance, Legendary Women promises to offer audiences a fresh perspective on the women whose legacies continue to inspire artists and audiences alike.
For event details and tickets, visit New York Live Arts. For more information about the organization’s mission and programs, visit Ballet Support Foundation’s official website.