MacDonald, Elaine (1943–)
MacDonald, Elaine (1943–)
Scottish ballerina. Born 1943 in Tadcaster, Scotland; trained with Olivia Morley in Scarborough and Louise Brown in York; attended Royal Ballet School (1958).
Joined Western Theater Ballet (1964); traveled with company and director Peter Darrell to Glasgow (1969), becoming founding member of Scottish Ballet as well as leading ballerina (1969–89); premiered many original pieces choreographed by Darrell, including Sun Into Darkness (1966), Beauty and the Beast (1969), Tales of Hoffmann (1972), Mary, Queen of Scots (1976) and Five Ruckert Songs (1978); performed outside Scotland as well, dancing leads in La Sylphide, Giselle and Swan Lake; served as artistic controller of company (1988–89) after Darrell's death; appointed associate artistic director of Northern Ballet Theater (1990). Awarded Officer of British Empire (OBE, 1983).