Anne France Polajenko

Ballerina, Teacher, Writer

May 15, 1942 (Shanghai, China) – November 14, 2025 (Delray Beach, FL)

Full name: Anne France Polajenko (née Saint-Pol)

Note: Though born in Shanghai, Anne was of French nationality through her aristocratic Saint-Pol family. Professional biographies often described her as "French-born."

Part I: Early Life (1942-1949)

Birth During WWII

Anne was born May 15, 1942 in Shanghai, China during WWII, while her family lived under Japanese house arrest.

"Oh yes, there was a surprise addition to this family. Myself, born in the middle of it all, nine years after my brother Michel."

Life Under Occupation

The family home was in the French Concession of Shanghai - a large three-story house with a vast garden surrounded by a high fence.

"Our house was located in the largest part of the international settlement, aptly named the French Concession."

Japanese soldiers guarded the gate; the family was under virtual house arrest.

"Although allowed to live in our own home, my family was under virtual house arrest, Japanese soldiers guarding the gate."

Anne's father built a bomb shelter underneath the garage and hid gold bars for survival.

"Toward the end of the war, when cash was gone and food was very scarce a bunch of carrots was worth one gold bar"

The family had a Dutch Jewish governess named Fanny who cared for the children despite being in extreme danger herself.

Anne's brother Michel was 10 years older and became her "nanny, playmate and protector all rolled into one."

Leaving China (1945-1946)

Anne was 4 years old when the family left China. They left with just the clothes on their backs and a few suitcases. Governess Fanny emigrated to Israel; the family never heard from her again.

Anne received her first doll, "Rosie", upon arrival in America - a treasured memory she later wrote about.

"'What are you going to name her?' I thought for not more than three seconds. 'Rosie' I said."

Part II: Dance Training (1949-1961)

Washington D.C. (1949) - Age 7

Anne began ballet classes at the suggestion of her schoolteacher.

"I was about 7 years old. Actually, it was my school teacher who suggested it since it seemed I had a lot of energy and always danced my way in the school hallways!"

First teacher: Kathryn Mullownye (former George Balanchine dancer)

"My first teacher was Kathryn Mullownye, a former dancer in George Balanchine's company who had quit dancing to marry a military man."

School location: Dupont Circle, second floor

First professional ballet experience: Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo

"I was so excited the first time we went to see The 'Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo'. This was the most famous company in America."

Anne won a local TV talent competition but could not accept the prize because the family was moving.

Rome, Italy (1951-1959) - Ages 9-17

The family moved to Rome when Georges joined the UN FAO.

Anne auditioned at the Rome Opera House ballet school but was rejected due to a scary director (Ms. Radice).

She was accepted at the Academia Nazionale di Danza under Jia Ruskaya.

"Jia Ruskaya was originally Russian and had come to Italy many years before."

The academy was built on the Aventine Hill overlooking the Circo Massimo.

Anne attended the Overseas School of Rome (international school for diplomats' children).

Modern Dance Training: Anne took classes from pioneers Kurt Joos, Lottie Gosslar, and the Sakharovs.

"I got to take classes from what are now called the 'Modern dance pioneers'"

Fateful Encounter: Anne watched Harald Lander teach his wife Toni Lander (star of London's Festival Ballet), who was "often partnered by a young man I would marry many years later" - Nicholas Polajenko.

Milano - La Scala (1959) - Age 17

Anne graduated top of class in both 11th and 12th grade English in the same year.

"one of my proudest moments came when I graduated at the top of my class in both 11th and 12th grade English!"

She was accepted at the La Scala Opera House ballet school - only the second non-Italian ever accepted at that level.

"By some miracle, I was accepted into the school - only the second non-Italian ever and the first in that high a level."

Director: Esmee Bulness (English) - a strict but great teacher

Anne could never join the La Scala company (Italian nationals only).

Part III: Professional Dance Career (1961-1973)

Geneva Grand Theatre Ballet (1961-1973)

Anne signed her first professional contract in 1961 and moved to Geneva, Switzerland.

She was hired by choreographer friend Gilbert for the corps de ballet at the newly rebuilt Geneva Grand Theatre (state-of-the-art with three rotating hydraulic stages).

Anne performed as Soloist and Principal Dancer in every ballet of the classical repertory.

Choreographers She Worked With

George Balanchine, Antony Tudor, Nicholas Beriosoff, Serge Golovine

The Balanchine Years (1968-1973)

From 1968-73, Anne had the unique opportunity of performing the Balanchine repertory under the tutelage of the choreographer himself.

George Balanchine became Artistic Advisor to the Geneva Grand Theatre Ballet during this period, giving Anne direct access to the master choreographer.

Anne danced 14 Balanchine ballets including:

"Symphony in C"
"Serenade"
"The Four Temperaments"
"Agon"
"Concerto Barocco"

Anne also had works created especially for her during her time with the company.

Company Régisseur (1968)

In 1968, Anne was appointed company Régisseur (stage manager), in charge of coordinating company schedules, tours, costumes and shoes.

Meeting Nicholas

Nicholas Polajenko was appointed Principal Dancer & Ballet Master for the Geneva company in 1966.

"While there, he met his wife"

Retirement from the Stage (1973)

Anne retired from performing in 1973.

She and Nicholas moved to the United States to pursue teaching careers.

Part IV: Teaching Career (1973-2017)

Point Park College, Pittsburgh (1973-1974)

The Polajenkos' first teaching position in America.

Houston Ballet (1974-1976)

Anne served as Ballet Mistress and/or Principal Teacher.

Houston Dance Center (1976-1988)

Nicholas and Anne co-founded Houston Dance Center and served as co-Artistic Directors.

Students from Houston Dance Center went on to join:

American Ballet Theatre
Cleveland Ballet
San Francisco Ballet
Ballet West
Joffrey II
New York City Ballet

Anne was honored by the City of Houston and the State of Texas for her commitment on behalf of the arts.

Harid Conservatory, Boca Raton (1988-1989)

Both Anne and Nicholas taught at Harid.

Ballet Florida

Anne served as Ballet Mistress.

Miami City Ballet (8 Years)

Anne served as Children's Ballet Mistress for George Balanchine's Nutcracker for 8 years.

"Some years ago I had the privilege of serving as Children's Ballet Mistress for Miami City Ballet's production of George Balanchine's 'The Nutcracker'. Edward and Linda Villella had entrusted the job to me, something for which I will be eternally grateful."

Entrusted with the position by Edward and Linda Villella (Artistic Director)
Each cast: 74 dancers ages 8-14
Performed at Kravis Center in West Palm Beach
Coordinator for MCB's Outreach Program
All children outfitted with So Dança shoes

Notable students Anne trained:

Anna Gonzales - from smallest Angel to Marie, graduated Harid Conservatory
Tommy Batchelor - young Prince age 10, went to Broadway's "Billy Elliott"
Treyden Chiaravalloti - young Prince, now at Julliard School
Madison Russo - Angel to Candy Cane, now with Houston Ballet II

2003: Granddaughter Renee Polajenko danced in the Angels cast at Kravis Center.

Southern Dance Theatre (2002-2017)

Anne taught ballet at Southern Dance Theatre in Florida starting at least February 2002.

Anne wrote monthly newsletters for students on injury prevention, nutrition, and dance history.

December 2017: Staged "TCHAIKOVSKY TRILOGY" recital featuring Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, and Nutcracker excerpts.

Dance Masters of America

Anne served as a guest teacher and choreographer for Dance Masters of America.

Presidential Scholar Recognition

Anne was recognized by the National Foundation for the Arts as a Teacher of a Presidential Scholar.

Part V: So Dança Career (2002-2018)

December 2002: Appointed PR Officer

Anne was appointed Public Relations officer for So Dança's North American operations.

Pointe Shoe Specialist

Anne became a specialist in pointe shoe fitting. In 2002, she joined So Dança as Shoe Specialist in addition to her Public Relations role.

She conducted seminars on pointe technique and shoe fitting across the United States and Canada for dance schools, stores, and conferences.

"correct shoe fit is essential. I care about what dancers put on their feet because I care so much about dance."

October 2002: Brazil Competition

Anne represented the United States on the jury of the 1st International Cecilia Kerche Ballet Competition in Brazil.

Competition held in Osvaldo Cruz (near Matto Grosso), headquarters of So Dança/Trinys.

Website: www.ballet-feetfirst.com

Anne and Nicholas maintained a website dedicated to pointe shoe education, publishing articles on pointe readiness, shoe fitting, and ballet technique.

Part VI: Writing and Creative Works

Autobiographical Works

"Memories" - Detailed autobiography covering dance training from Washington D.C. to Geneva
"Rosie" - Childhood memoir about life in Shanghai during WWII
"The Great Faces of Dance" - Reflections on 60 years of witnessing ballet evolution

Fiction Writing

"Murder in First Position" - Mystery novel manuscript set in a ballet company

Story set in Geneva's Grand Theatre with fictional ballet company "Ballet U.S.A."
Protagonist: Myra, a senior soloist
Draws on Anne and Nicholas's intimate knowledge of ballet world and Geneva theater

Published Articles

"Mother" - Published article about her mother Renée as the ideal "Ballet Mother"
Numerous articles on pointe shoe fitting and ballet technique for www.ballet-feetfirst.com

Death and Legacy

Anne F. Polajenko (May 15, 1942 – November 14, 2025)

Anne passed away November 14, 2025, at age 83.

She was survived by son Alexei Polajenko and grandchildren including Renee Polajenko.