Elena Carter Richardson

Elena Carter Richardson in costume as Swanhilda in Coppélia. Elena Carter Richardson (26 December 1948 – 4 February 2006) was an American ballerina and dance instructor.

Born and raised in Mexico City, Mexico, she trained at the Academia de Ballet de Coyoacán, going on to be a principal dancer at Compania Nacional de Danza, and with Ballet Classico 70.

Richardson later joined Dance Theatre of Harlem and toured the world as a principal before taking time off to have children in 1982. She moved to Portland, Oregon and became a principal in Pacific Ballet Theatre and Oregon Ballet Theatre as well as a faculty member in the Performing Arts Program at Jefferson High School and at Da Vinci Arts Middle School. L

Richardson was diagnosed with cancer in 2000 and succumbed to the disease in 2006.