María Ruanova (July 3, 1912 – June 5, 1976) was an Argentine dancer, choreographer, teacher and ballet master,[1] known for her performances at the Teatro Colón and internationally.

[4][5] Here they were further tutored by dance greats such as Bronislava Nijinska, Boris Romanoff, Elena Smirnova, Michel Fokine, Antonia Mercé and Serge Lifar.

[3] In 1936 she was invited to perform as prima ballerina in René Blum's Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo.

[1][3][4] Her success in France led to other international performances in London, Cape Town, Pretoria, Durban, Johannesburg, Glasgow, Manchester and Paris.

[3] Ruanova performed in Mozart's 1942 world premier concert, choreographed by George Balanchine, at Teatro Colón.

[1][4][6] She was hired by the Ballet del Marqués de Cuevas as prima ballerina and Maestro in 1957, and toured Europe with this company.