Dance Appreciation Major Figures

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Catherine de’Medici

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Neither a dancer nor a choreographer, had a love for dance and brought several dancing masters with her from Italy to France. Thus began the long reign of the court ballet.

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Louis XIV

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Also known as the Sun King. A great lover of dance, he appeared in several court ballets. He granted permission to establish the first Academy of Dance.

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August Bournonville

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Former student of the Paris Opera who brought Romantic ballet to his native Denmark. His dance aesthetic became a part of the Royal Danish Ballet.

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Petipa

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French born choreographer who came to St. Petersburg in 1847. formulated Classical Ballet. Most of what we know as classical ballet today descends from his teachings and choreography. His most famous ballets are The Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake (with Ivanov).

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Diaghilev

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Director of the Ballets Russes from 1909-1929. Neither a dancer or choreographer himself.

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Fokine

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Choreographer of contemporary ballets. First master choreographer for Diaghilev’s Ballet Russes.

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Nijinska

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Nijinsky’s sister. Outstanding choreographer for Diaghilev’s Ballet Russes.

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Pavlova

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A principal dancer with Russia’s Imperial Ballet and the Ballet Russes. Famous for dancing The Dying Swan, choreographed for her by Fokine.

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Massine

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Dancer and prolific, inventive choreographer who worked with Ballets Russes.

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Nijinsky

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Dancer and choreographer with Diaghilev’s Ballet Russe. Known for his outstanding dancing ability. Shocked audiences with his choreography (The Afternoon of a Faun and The Rite of Spring) which included references to sex and death.

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Balanchine

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Student of the Russian Imperial School of Ballet. Choreographed for Ballet Russes and went on to establish The New York City Ballet with Lincoln Kirstein. The company continues to perform many of his ballets.

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Robbins

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American dancer and choreographer. Co-directed New York City Ballet with Peter Martins in the 1980s. Also known for his musical theatre choreography, particularly West Side Story.

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Joffrey

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An American ballet dancer and choreographer, he established the Joffrey Ballet in 1954.

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Mitchell

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Previously a dancer with New York City Ballet, wanted to develop a company where black dancers could perform in classical ballets. In 1972 he established Dance Theatre of Harlem, which today performs around the world.

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Martins

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Danish dancer and choreographer who performed with New York City Ballet for many years. He is now the artistic director and also choreographs for the company.

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Baryshnikov

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A Russian dancer with the Kirov Ballet, defected in 1974. Danced with American Ballet Theatre and also served as artistic director there. Went on to form White Oak Dance Project, has since opened the Baryshnikov Arts Center, dedicated to experimentation and collaboration.

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Bourne

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In 1995 choreographed a critically acclaimed version of Swan Lake in which all of the swans are men. This production has been called groundbreaking and has won a record number of awards.