U.S. choreographer John Taras dies at 84

NEW YORK, April 5 (UPI) -- Internationally acclaimed ballet choreographer John Taras has died at his New York home, the New York Times reported Monday. He was 84.

Taras, who died Friday in Manhattan, was considered George Balanchine's right hand man and was associated with Balanchine's companies, including New York City Ballet, for much of his career.

Taras also worked with the American Ballet Theater and international ballet companies.

"Ebony Concerto" for Stravinsky in 1960 and "Souvenir de Florence," created for City Ballet's 1981 Tchaikovsky Festival and recently revived, were considered two of Taras' most notable works.

Taras' version of "Firebird" that he choreographed for Dance Theater of Harlem remains a favorite.

Taras was born April 18, 1919, in New York, to a family of Ukranian descent. He joined a Ukrainian folk dance group at 9 and began studying ballet at 16. Taras studied with the celebrated choreographer Mikhail Fokine and other Russian teachers, including Anatole Vilzak and Ludmila Shollar.

He is survived by his wife, Helene Sadowska, and a stepdaughter, Anne.