Overview

Tamara Tchinarova Finch (born Tamara Rekemchuk; 18 July 1919 – 31 August 2017) was a ballet dancer and writer whose performing and cultural work helped shape mid-20th-century dance in Australia. Born in Cetatea Albă, then part of the Kingdom of Romania, she emigrated and became active with several early Australian companies. After retiring from the stage she worked as a Russian–English interpreter for touring companies and contributed writing about dance and dancers.

Early life and training

Tchinarova was born in a region of eastern Europe that experienced shifting borders and populations in the 20th century. She adopted the surname Tchinarova for her stage career. Like many dancers of her generation, she trained in the classical technique and benefited from the influence of émigré Russian teachers and artists who maintained the Russian ballet tradition in Europe and later in Australia.

Career in Australia

During the 1940s Tchinarova was active with pioneering Australian companies. She danced with Hélène Kirsova’s company (the Kirsova Ballet) and subsequently with the Borovansky Ballet, both of which played major roles in establishing professional ballet performance and training in Australia. Her work as a principal and ensemble dancer contributed to the development of repertory, company discipline and public interest in ballet during wartime and the immediate postwar years.

Roles and contributions

As a performer she was known for her technique and stage presence, and she also served as a bridge between visiting European artists and the emerging Australian scene. Tchinarova later used her language skills and cultural knowledge to assist touring companies, including working with the Australian Ballet on tours and in negotiations. Her experience as both artist and translator made her a valued member of touring delegations and a reliable source of institutional memory for Australia’s early ballet history.

Personal life and later work

In 1943 she married actor Peter Finch; the marriage ended in divorce in 1959. After leaving the stage Tchinarova lived in several countries and supported dance through translation, interviews and occasional articles, recording recollections of the formative years of Australian ballet. Her written recollections and interviews are often cited by historians studying that period.

Legacy and death

Tchinarova’s significance lies in her dual role as a performer during a key phase of Australian cultural life and as an interpreter and chronicler who helped preserve that history. She died at the age of 98 at her home in Málaga, Spain, on 31 August 2017 of pneumonia. Her contributions continue to be recognized by dance historians and in archival collections that document the origins of professional ballet in Australia.

  • Key associations: Kirsova Ballet; Borovansky Ballet; Australian Ballet.
  • Occupations: dancer, interpreter/translator, dance writer.
  • Life span: 1919–2017.