Answer
The answer is her mentor. Maria's ballet mentor, Bronislava Nijinska, was instrumental in encouraging her to adopt the stage name "Tallchief." Nijinska recognized Maria's exceptional talent and believed that a distinctive name would help her stand out in the competitive world of ballet. The name "Tallchief" paid homage to Maria's Native American heritage and resonated well with audiences, contributing to her rise to prominence as a prima ballerina.