There are, as most of us are aware, several types or genres of dance such as ballet, jazz, broadway, tap, hip-hop, modern, swing, contra dance, country, western, belly dance, flamenco, Latin dance, and folk dance. Choreography may be nothing more than a technique for most people. But for the people cited here, it is a finely tuned method of expression and communication. Here is a quick look on some of the best choreographers of all time.
George Balanchine
Born on January 22, 1904, in St. Petersburg, Russia, George Balanchine is regarded as one of the best choreographers of the 20th century, who brought in the contemporary style of dancing. He was also the pioneer of the ballet dance form in the United States and the ballet master of New York Ballet. George was 79 when he died on April 30, 1983.
Bob Fosse
If anyone was known to be among the most influential men in the history of jazz dance form, it was Bob Fosse. Born in Chicago, Illinois, on June 23, 1927, Bob, apart from being a choreographer, was also American musical theater director, screenwriter, and film director. He passed away on September 23, 1987.
Alvin Ailey
Alvin Ailey was a well-known African-American choreographer and dancer in the history of modern dance techniques. He was born on January 5, 1931 in Rogers, Texas, United States. His spiritual and gospel background were the primary elements of his unique choreography. Alvin passed away on December 1, 1989.
Katherine Dunham
Katherine Dunham, born on June 22, 1909 in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, USA, helped to establish black dance as an art form in America. Katherine was a dancer, an author, educator, and she also received training as an anthropologist.
Paul Taylor
Among the famous choreographers who are still among us is Paul Taylor. He was born on June 29 1930 Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania. He founded the Paul Taylor Dance Company in 1954. The basic element of his choreography, which makes him different from others, is his use of everyday gestures as a part of his dance moves.
Following is a list of choreographers who have done immensely well in ballet, jazz, and broadway.
Names |
Dance Genres |
Alvin Ailey |
Ballet |
Erik Bruhn |
Ballet |
Hannelore Bey |
Ballet |
Gasparo Angiolini |
Ballet |
Frederick Ashton |
Ballet |
Nina Ananiashvili |
Ballet |
Darcey Bussell |
Ballet |
Julie Bournonville |
Ballet |
Leslie Caron |
Ballet |
Vakhtang Chabukiani |
Ballet |
Joaquín Cortés |
Ballet |
John Cranko |
Ballet |
Louis Deland |
Ballet |
Anton Dolin |
Ballet |
Anthony Dowell |
Ballet |
Irina Dvorovenko |
Ballet |
Suzanne Farrell |
Ballet |
Marie Favart |
Ballet |
Lorena Feijóo |
Ballet |
Louis Gallodier |
Ballet |
Adeline Genée |
Ballet |
Yvonne Georgi |
Ballet |
Jeffrey Golladay |
Ballet |
Fabio Grossi |
Ballet |
Evelyn Har |
Ballet |
Robert Helpmann |
Ballet |
Hedda Hjortsberg |
Ballet |
Anna Sophia Holmstedt |
Ballet |
Karen Kain |
Ballet |
Zizi Jeanmaire |
Ballet |
Vera Karalli |
Ballet |
Tracy Li |
Ballet |
Serge Lifar |
Ballet |
Lydia Lopokova |
Ballet |
Sabrina Matthews |
Ballet |
Sulamith Messerer |
Ballet |
Vaslav Nijinsky |
Ballet |
Ivan Novikoff |
Ballet |
Rudolf Nureyev |
Ballet |
Nadia Nerina |
Ballet |
David Poole |
Ballet |
Sergiu Pobereznic |
Ballet |
Merle Park |
Ballet |
Daniel Rajna |
Ballet |
Anders SelinderBalle |
Ballet |
Charlotte Slottsberg |
Ballet |
Moira Shearer |
Ballet |
Phyllis Spira-Boyd |
Ballet |
Lynn Seymour |
Ballet |
Marie Taglioni |
Ballet |
Bill Robinson |
Jazz |
Bob Fosse |
Jazz |
Donald Mc Kayle |
Jazz |
Gerome Robbins |
Jazz |
Geene Kelly |
Jazz |
Jack Cole |
Jazz |
Josephine Baker |
Jazz |
Katherine Dunham |
Jazz |
Lester Horton |
Jazz |
Luigi |
Jazz |
Matt Mattox |
Jazz |
Michael Kidd |
Jazz |
Talley Beatty |
Jazz |
The Nicholas Bros |
Jazz |
Gus Giordano |
Jazz |
Savion Glover |
Jazz |
Adele Astaire |
Broadway |
Fred Astaire |
Broadway |
Vera-Ellen |
Broadway |
Gwen Verdon |
Broadway |
These people have not just learned the different forms of dance, they have lived each moment of their performance. And in this way, they have not only been a relishing entertainment for the masses, but for themselves as well.