Early Modern
This person was inspired by nature and ancient greek theater. They are often credited with being the founder of Modern Dance.
Who is Isadora Duncan?
The 'Sun King', credited with popularizing Ballet in the 1600's French court.
This tap dancer got their start in vaudeville and was the first black man to perform for an all white audience.
Who is Master Juba?
This person was married to Martha Graham. After their divorce they founded their own dance company.
Who is Erik Hawkins?
This dancer choreographed 'D-man in the Waters' in response to the AIDs epidemic of the 1980's. Their company name also includes their late partner Arnie Zane.
Who is Bill T. Jones?
This person started a dance company and dance school with her husband, the Denishawn Dance Company. She shaped future dancers for years to come.
Who is Ruth St Denis?
The person who brought Ballet from the Italian Renaissance to France.
Who is Cathrine De Medici?
This person was a ballet and Jazz choreogrpaher. They famously choreographed the 1957 'Westside Story'
Who is Jerome Robbins?
This dancer was a Mexican Immigrant who's dance company and legacy still exists today. Doris Humphrey was this person's mentor and artistic collaborator.
Who is Jose Limon?
This person studied with Lestor Horton in LA and later started their own dance company in NYC that still exists today. 'Revelations' is their most famous dance.
Who is Alvin Ailey?
This person performed at the 1900 worlds fair in Paris, using light and costumes in her stage design to shape her choreography.
Who is Louie Fuller?
This person had Russian dance training, and founded the New York City Ballet. The are credited with originating neo-classical ballet.
Who is George Balanchine?
Considered the worlds most famous tapper. This person refined the dance style and incorporated stairs in their performance inspiring many across stage and film.
Who is Bill 'Bojangles' Robinson?
This person invented 'Chance Dance' where dance steps and music would change and be decided in the moment.
Who is Merce Cunningham?
This dancer was an anthropologist. They Performed with their dance company throughout the USA, Europe and South America, famously combining ballet, early modern, and Caribbean folk dances.
Who is Kathrine Dunham?
These are the 'Big Four' of Early Modern dance.
Who is Martha Graham, Charles Weidman, Doris Humphrey, and Hanya Holm?
This Russian dancer and choreographer is the father of classical ballet. He was the first to choreograph many ballets including Swan Lake, the Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty and many others.
Who is Marius Petipa?
This person is considered one of the founders of Jazz technique, and credited with inventing 'jazz hands'.
Who is Bob Fosse?
This dancer was in the Martha Graham dance company and later created their own company that still exists after their death. He choreographed 147 dances in his life time.
Who is Paul Taylor?
After being names the first black principal dancer with New York City Ballet, this person founded Dance Theatre of Harlem in 1968.
Who is Arthur Mitchelle?
This person founded Jacobs Pillow. Which is still a running dance organization today.
This person was a Native American Dancer and the first ever Principal dancer with the New York City Ballet. The were married to George Balanchine, and after their divorce moved to Chicago to start their own dance school.
Who is Maria Tallcheif?
Inspired by Sammy Davis Jr and a student of Gregory Hinds, this person is still alive and performing today. They are the father of rhythm tap.
Who is Savion Glover?
This dancer was influenced by Isadora Duncan and was a principal dancer for Martha Graham. Her work is known for its strong social justice focus.
Who is Anna Sokolow?
This dancer is a current choreographer who's work centers the celebration of the black experience in America. They also have choreographed many current and past Broadway shows including Gypsy, Hells Kitchen and Once on this Island.
Who is Camilla A Brown?