Rosemary Deveson

Born Bowsman River, Manitoba, December 28, 1921 Rosemary was a recognized dancer teacher & choreographer.  As a child, she spent a year in England where she was introduced to ballet.

In 1934 she moved to Vancouver with her family, where she studied with June Roper.  Rosemary performed with the Roper group for charity events, cabarets & civic celebrations.  In l938, at the age of 16 was selected by Colonel de Basil to join his Company immediately and traveled to Portland, Oregon.  Rosemary was given the name “Natasha Sobinova” and toured with the Company through the U.S.A. & in Europe.

Rosemary returned to Vancouver in 1940 opening a studio in the penthouse of the Georgia Hotel.  Many talented dancers emerged from her classes, notably Lynn Seymour & Lois Smith.

Deveson choreographed for the Theatre Under the Stars musicals & appeared in Showcase performances sponsored by the Vancouver Ballet Society.

During her second marriage (Livingston), she raised three children and still dedicated herself to dance.  After her third marriage, she continued to teach at the Richmond Arts Centre mentoring aspiring Vancouver dancers.   Deveson was honoured at the Dance in Canada conference in Vancouver in 1978.