Yvonne Mounsey, NYC Ballet dancer

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Mounsey died of cancer Saturday at her Los Angeles home, said her daughter, Allegra Clegg of Los Angeles.

Mounsey danced with the City Ballet from 1948 to 1958, rising from soloist to principal dancer. For Robbins, she originated the roles of the Queen in "The Cage," the Harp in "Fanfare" and the Wife in "The Concert."

Mounsey was born Yvonne Louise Leibbrandt on a South African dairy farm. She began taking ballet lessons at 7, and later studied and danced in England. She performed around the world with various companies.

She was with the Original Ballet Russe when Balanchine saw her in New York in 1940. He created a part for her in his 1941 "Balustrade."


After her New York City Ballet years, she helped co-found a ballet company in South Africa.


Mounsey never turned away a student, her daughter said. " 'Whatever you do,' she would say to you, 'Do it 110 percent, whether you're the housekeeper or the bus driver or a doctor,' " Clegg said.

In addition to her daughter, survivors include two stepsons.

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-- AP

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