Claire Motte

Claire Motte (1937–1986) was a French ballerina, choreographer and dance teacher. After studying under Carlotta Zambelli at the company's school, she entered the Paris Opera Ballet when she was 14. Rising quickly through the ranks, she was named a danseuse étoile in December 1960. As a result of her outstanding technique, leading choreographers including George Balanchine and Serge Lifar sought to include her in their ballets. She was frequently a partner of Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux. In parallel, Motte taught dance and in 1977 was appointed professor at the Paris Opera and at the Conservatoire de Paris. Four years after she had left the stage, in 1983 Rudolf Nureyev appointed her ballet master for Swan Lake.