Dame Sonia Arova-Associate Artist, famous international ballerina, won the world championship of dancing in 1939. She danced as principal dancer with Ballet Rambert, the Metropolitan Ballet, the Original Ballet Russe, London Festival Ballet, the Royal Ballet and American Ballet Theatre. She performed as Rudolf Nureyev's partner numerous times, including his U.S. premiere. In 1965, she became Artistic Director for the Norwegian National Ballet. For her service in this position, she was made a Knight in a ceremony held at the United Nations in New York City. In ' 1971, she co-directed the San Diego Ballet and in 1975 she accepted the position of principal instructor at the Alabama School of Fine Arts. In 1980, she was asked to serve as Artistic director for the Alabama Ballet.