Allegra Kent

When you think about a hero, what comes to mind? It could be many different things like dedication, leadership, being an inspiration to someone, or being courageous. I think being a hero requires all of that and much more.

Allegra KentBert Stern (CC BY NC 2.0) via Flickr

Allegra Kent (also known as Iris Margo Cohen), an accomplished ballerina, is a person whom I consider a hero. She was an inspiration to many who celebrated her for her "muscular lyricism." She made all of her performances seem unreal.

Allegra realized her dream of being a ballerina at the young age of ten, and started training at eleven. At thirteen she was accepted into the School of American Ballet, on scholarship, and moved to New York. Famed choreographer George Balanchine discovered her talent. At age fifteen, Allegra became a permanent member of the New York City Ballet.

Allegra became a principal dancer at age 18 and was the star of the New York City Ballet. She was George Balanchine’s inspiration and was known for her "Balanchine" style. Allegra studied dance with many different people and performed many dances for a number of choreographers.

People were mystified by her beautiful dance technique, and when she started to miss shows for the New York City Ballet it added to her mystique. She quietly left the company in the 1980s but never stopped coaching and teaching.

Allegra married Bert Stern in 1959. They had three children, but they later divorced. Joseph Cornell was an artist who was inspired by Allegra. He dedicated some of his collages to her and her children.

Allegra is the author of two physical therapy books: The Dancers’ Body Book and Allegra Kent’s Water Beauty Book. Allegra also wrote an autobiography entitled, Once a Dancer.

Allegra is an extremely talented author, dancer, and mother, and for that she is my hero.