Tatiana Dokoudovska Obituary

Tatiana Dokoudovska passed away Wednesday, September 21, 2005. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, September 24, at Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church, 119th and Pflumm, with burial following in Forest Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m., Friday, at McGilley State Line Chapel, 12301 State Line Rd. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Tatiana Dokoudovska Scholarship Fund at UMKC, (816) 235-1247; Kansas City Ballet (816) 931-2232, ext, 309; or Legacy Foundation for the Arts, 12710 South Pflumm, Suite 104, Olathe, KS 66062. Ms. Dokoudovska was born January 13, 1921 in Beausoliel, France to Alexis and Nadia Dokoudovsky. She enjoyed a long career as a ballet dancer, teacher and artistic director. She moved from Paris to New York in 1939 and in 1954 moved to the Kansas City area. Ms. Dokoudovska danced with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, established the Dance Major curriculum at UMKC, and received the title Professor Emeritus of Dance. Tatiana was also the founder of the Kansas City Ballet. Her strength of character and regal bearing were evident to everyone she met and she leaves behind many grateful students and loving friends. (Arr: McGilley State Line Chapel 816-942-6180)

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Published by Kansas City Star on Sep. 22, 2005.

Memories and Condolences
for Tatiana Dokoudovska

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7 Entries

Jeanne Schaeffer-Goslin

September 24, 2005

I saw Miss Tania several months ago while in KC visiting family. In her presence, I felt the urge to stand a little straighter and to lift my chin, because I heard those reminders so often back in the '70s. I thank Miss Tania for her encouragement and for her constant admonishment from the barre to "go beyond...", but mostly I thank her for teaching me the joy and glory of dancing.

I regret that I was not able to honor her by coming to KC this weekend. Her influence reaches into many parts of my life and I will remember her always. Au revoir, Miss Tania.

Jeanne (Nicholls) Mueller

September 24, 2005

I learned of Miss Tania's passing on Friday and was deeply saddened. I was one of her last students, she retired my junior year at UMKC. She was always very tough on her students but only because she knew they had it in them to do what she asked. I can still hear her voice after all these years. She loved the dance and teaching her students. So much was learned from her by so many. I feel extremely fortunate to have been one of those students.

Maryhelen Mayfield (nee Hanson)

September 23, 2005

My best friend, Richard Dryden, called me yesterday to tell me the news of Miss Tania's passing. A great sadness came over me as I realized that the person who had taught me so much about passion, commitment, artistry, persistance and going beyond your own expectations had passed on to a better place. Miss Tania was my teacher, my mentor and my dear friend. She is the reason that I have a life in the world of dance and she is the reason that we have a ballet company and school in our community. Every day in class and rehearsal her wisdom, her love, her passion and her exquisite taste are passed on to the next generations of dancers. You are greatly loved Miss T for all you have done for all of us. I know you are with all of your students still... every day, in every way.

Maryhelen Mayfield

Director

Greensboro Ballet

Deanna (Silverman)Chaunet

September 23, 2005

I am so saddened by Miss Tania's passing. My twin and I were the FIRST of her many hundreds of students and the FIRST to continue within the dance degree she established at UMKC. My twin, Diana and I spent so much time at the ballet studio, that Miss Tania became our surogate mother. Learning from Miss Tania and having her as a teacher and friend all these years helped to establish my own character and values. I am so grateful that she brought into my life the appreciate, passion and love for classical ballet. My scrapbooks are full of memories of those years of classes, the establishment of the Kansas City Ballet Company, the many performances and the times we would sit around her dining room table to discuss her upbringing, her experiences and her wisdom. Her passion, knowledge and character, and the lives she touched are her legacy. She will be in my heart forever.

Bill Laaser

September 22, 2005

Besides giving her students wonderful experiences and opportunities, Miss Tania taught us skills and values that extended far beyond the ballet studio. She left her mark on this world and her legacy will continue through us and our children.

Toinette Evelyn Tamayo

September 22, 2005

I was a little african-american 6 year old when I saw Miss Tatiana with her big stick! My mother had won had won a ballet competition with all africa-american dancers. Little did I know that I would be taking classes with this dynamic lady! I am the gingerbread with the broken arm! She told me I stood like a sack of potatoes. Years later, I came back to class and she told me that I did not forget a thing! What a Compliment. One of my students that went on to the collegiate level was in a performance Miss Tatiana saw. She told me, I was an excellent teacher, I couldn't sleep for the rest of the weekend!

In all, it comes to this! If it weren't for My mother and Miss Tatiana, I would not be the excellent teacher I am today. All of us were her children and it just takes our breath away! If it is possible, Miss Tatiana is making everyone that passed on before her do 32 rond de jambes en lair without putting their legs down!

With all my love,

Toinette Evelyn (Biggins) Tamayo

Robert F. Schaeffer

September 22, 2005

It is with deep sorrow that I read the obituary this morning on-line. My relationship with Miss Tania was a very rewarding one. I learned about her passion for ballet and I was able to use this passion in my work with her and the Kansas City Ballet. I am sorry that I will still be in Canada for about 2 weeks. I will miss not saying good-bye to her in person. Our most sincere condolances.

Evie Ausen and Robert Schaeffer

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