Irine Fokine

I was also a student of Miss Fokine for about 2 to 3 years? She was definitely a no nonsense teacher. I suppose to be a successful dancer, discipline is the key! She was tough as nails.
Margaret Schwed (Brooklyn, NY)

I was also a student of Miss Fokine for about 2 to 3 years? She was definitely a no nonsense teacher. I suppose to be a successful dancer, discipline is the key! She was tough as nails.
Margaret Schwed (Brooklyn, NY)

I took ballet from Miss Fokine in 1951 and 1952 and tho I was a little scared of her I thought she was the most elegant and important person in the world. I never forgot her. Fokine ballets are coming to the Kennedy Center soon and so I looked her up as I have done from time to time. She left a lasting impression on many - even on those who never became dancers.

Miss Fokine was my first ballet teacher when I was 5 years old.
She was tough but I learned so much from her and I became such a strong dancer. I am now living in Florida and have been teaching ballet here for 12 years. I have 4 children who have all danced. Miss Fokine instilled a love for dance in me that I have been able to carry through to my own children as well as my students. She will be greatly missed!!! Debbie( Durheimer) Townend Palm Bay, FL

Miss Fokine use to make Mary Beth O'Connor and me laugh so hard we fell over. She'd mock students doing her potty-girl and horse imitation, insulting and instructing us at the same time, she could be very funny. I loved her and think of her often. I've a vision of her choreographing by the piano, with her hands, half hip on a stool, and a lit cigatrette smoking up.
My first class was when I was 5 with Gwen Laszlo.
Being under her tutelage for many years was my good fortune, she has...

Ms. Fokine,

You had such an influence on my life. The discipline and pure delight of "The Nutcracker" were vital experiences in growing up. Though I never made it out of the corps de ballet, I will always be grateful for the lessons I learned while studying with you.

Kathryn Komsa Schmidt

I took numerous ballet classes and performed under Irine Fokine's direction over a 5 year period in the mid- to late-1970s. I value Irine Fokine's dedication as a teacher and choreographer.