nativeamericandress

I wonder if it could be this Louise Jorgensen, said to be a dancer(?) in Oakland, CA?
"For almost 70 years, from 1919 until the pageant's farewell performance in 1987, a one-woman powerhouse, Louise Jorgensen, transformed the Cadigans and thousands of other Oakland schoolchildren into dancing toys and ballerinas for two performances during the first weekend of December."

Her dress and moccasins are beautiful. Why is she wearing them? Who is she?

Yes, absolutely certain this is Louise Jorgensen of Oakland. Knew her very very well and recognized her immediately in this photo. She studied many types of dance throughout her career, so this costume was most likely for some type of performance. She was primarily a ballet dancer and teacher, and was most noted as director of Oakland's Children's Christmas Pageant 1919-1987.

Miss Jorgensen was my ballet instructor when i was a child. I took classes with her at First Presbyterian Church in Oakland Ca. from 1st grade until 5th grade. She was an amazing dancer & a wonderful teacher. I can remember dancing the "Flight of the Bumblebees"...weaving the Maypole... and dancing every year in the Oakland Christmas Pageant. My most memorable year was when i got to be a pointsetta...i can still hear the music :) She was strict but loving. I'll never forget her.

Aileen of Oakland and chefmia:

Thank you for sharing your recollections of Louise Jorgensen. Thanks to your efforts we will be able to add more details about Miss Jorgensen to this description.

It's interesting that his costume is made from what looks like a far eastern brocade.

This photograph is part of the Indicommons.org "across the Commons" feature Music across the Commons.