Final answer:
George Balanchine was a renowned choreographer known as the father of American ballet and co-founder of the New York City Ballet. Although closely associated with composer Igor Stravinsky, he was not involved in the creation of The Rite of Spring. His influence modernized classical ballet and set the stage for future innovations in the art.
Step-by-step explanation:
George Balanchine was a prolific choreographer often referred to as the father of American ballet. He was not associated with the creation of The Rite of Spring; however, his contributions to the ballet world are monumental. Born in Russia, Balanchine (1904 – 1983) is best known for his work in the United States where he co-founded the New York City Ballet and remained its Ballet Master for more than 35 years.
His style significantly modernized classical ballet which involved rapid changes, off-balance positions, and abstract narrative. Stravinsky, mentioned in the reference, was a Russian composer whose collaboration with Balanchine led to the creation of major ballet works, though it's significant to note that Stravinsky composed The Rite of Spring before Balanchine had begun his career in the West.
While Balanchine did not directly connect to the initial scandal caused by The Rite of Spring, the revolution in music and dance aesthetics of the early 20th century certainly paved the way for his innovative and transformative works in ballet that would come later.