Tatiana Dokoudovska

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...

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.

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...

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...

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.

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...

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