The Society is truly privileged to have Taina Elg as the Guest of Honor for the Annual Scandinavian Christmas Ball 2014.
Finnish actress and dancer Taina Elg was born in Helsinki. At a very young age, she began her training at the Finnish National Ballet. Taina’s international reputation began to grow when she received a scholarship to study at the famed Sadler’s Wells ballet company (The Royal Ballet) in London and the joined the Grand Ballet du Marquis de Cuevas in Paris. Taina was discovered by MGM Studios in London and signed to a Hollywood contract where she appeared in various films including the classic The Girls with Gene Kelly, winning two Golden Globe awards along the way.
Returning to the stage Taina then appeared in Redhead, Silk Stockings, Irma La Douce, Sound of Music and A Little Night Music. She made her Broadway debut with the musical Look to the Lilies and was nominated for a Tony award for her performance in Where’s Charlie? She appeared in acclaimed original Broadway production of Nine with Raul Julia and as Mrs. Straus in the national tour of the musical Titanic.
Concert work (Louisiana Purchase in six performances at Weill Recital Hall), recordings and TV appearances (two years on “One Life to Live”) round out Taina’s busy career. Her son, Raoul Björkenheim, a talented composer and musician, currently teaches at Sibelius Academy.
Taina Elg is a proud recipient of the Order of the Lion of Finland.
~ Written by Tuomas Hiltunen
Would you like to learn more about Taina Elg? Listen to her “Long Lost Interview” from 1974. This interview has remained hidden since 1974 and has never been broadcast or seen in print before.