Mai-Ester Murdmaa (born 31 March 1938) is an Estonian choreographer, ballet dancer, ballet master and director.[1]

Murdmaa was born in Tallinn. Her older brother Ivar Murdmaa is a marine geologist and her younger brother Allan Murdmaa was an architect. Her sister Kai Murdmaa is a physicist.

In 1956 she graduated from the Tallinn Ballet School. In 1964 she graduated from GITIS in ballet master speciality. From 1956 until 1960, she was a dancer at the Estonia Theatre, after that, she was the ballet master (1964–1973) and principal ballet master (1974–2001) at the Estonia Theatre.[1]

Murdmaa was married to Latvian pianist and music professor Valdis Jancis until his death in 2014. Their song is composer and musician Rainer Jancis and animator and musician Kaspar Jancis.[1]

Awards

• 2001: Order of the White Star, III class.[2]

Filmography

• 1974: Ooperiball (music film; scenarist)
• 1980: Kadunud poeg (music film; director)
• 1980: Medeia (music film; director)
• 1984: Naine (music film; director)
• 1987: Metsluiged (feature film; scenarist)

References