HIGHTOWER, ROSELLA

born Jan. 30, 1920, Ardmore, Okla., U.S. American ballerina and ballet teacher. Hightower began ballet classes in Kansas City, Mo., with Dorothy Perkins in 1928. When she was 17 years old she studied in Europe, first performing with Leonide Massine's Ballet Russe (1938-41). Hightower then performed primarily with Marquis George de Cuevas' company until his death in 1961, after which she formed the Centre of Classical Dance in Cannes, Fr. Hightower served as the director of the Marseille Opera Ballet (1969-72) and also of the Nancy Grand Theatre (1973-74); in 1980 she was appointed director of the Paris Opra Ballet.