Ailey, Alvin (1931-89). Born in Rogers, Tex. Dancer known for choreography using Lester Horton, ethnic African, and Afro-Caribbean techniques. In 1958 he founded his own dance company, which showcased the work of other black choreographers.

Arbeau, Thoinot (1519-95). Born Jehan Tabourot in Dijon, France. Priest and writer known for his dance manual 'Orchesographie', published in 1588. It included both court and popular dances.

Ashton, Frederick (1904-88). Born William Mallandaine of English parents in Guayaquil, Ecuador. First major British choreographer. A classical dancer, he was known primarily for his years as a choreographer with the Royal Ballet (earlier called the Vic-Wells Ballet and Sadler's Wells Ballet) beginning in 1935. He served as director of the Royal Ballet from 1963 to 1970.

Astaire Fred (1899-1987). Top hat, white tie, and tails, with a formal cane, epitomized the elegance of Fred Astaire's dancing style, but in his routines he used many other props--a mop, a hat rack, dumbbells, golf clubs, firecrackers, even funhouse mirrors. He danced on the tops of bottle-stacked bars and pianos, over furniture and, in a memorable 'Royal Wedding' number, up the walls and across the ceiling.
Fred Austerlitz was born on May 10, 1899, in Omaha, Neb. His Austrian immigrant father, Frederic E. Austerlitz, was a traveling beer salesman. When Fred was 4, he began taking lessons at the ballet school where his sister, Adele, was studying. After learning tap in New York City, the youngsters began touring as vaudeville hoofers in 1906. Their mother was their tutor, manager, and promoter.
The brother-sister act's first Broadway success was 'Over the Top' in 1917, by which time they had changed their name to Astaire. The Astaires teamed in many hit shows until Adele's retirement in 1932. The next year Fred began a movie career that lasted half a century. He developed a debonair flair for comedy and an appealing delivery of pop songs, while his choreography became increasingly inventive and fluid.
After Joan Crawford in 'Dancing Lady', Astaire had more than a dozen dancing partners, including Rita Hayworth, Judy Garland, Eleanor Powell, Cyd Charisse, Leslie Caron, Ann Miller, and Audrey Hep- burn. His most popular partner was Ginger Rogers; from 'Flying Down to Rio' (1933) to 'The Barkleys of Broadway' (1949), they danced together in ten movies. Their sophisticated style, the grace and technical excellence, and the integration of plot and music in their films revolutionized the musical comedy.
In 1949 Astaire received a special Academy award for his unique artistry and his contributions to the musical genre. Between Astaire's last musical films--'Silk Stockings' (1957) and 'Finian's Rainbow' (1968)--he experimented with dance on television. 'An Evening with Fred Astaire' (1958) won a record nine Emmy awards. Television specials in 1959 and 1960 garnered more awards. In motion pictures he began concentrating on straight roles, both dramatic and comedic. He was nominated for an Academy award for his work as a con artist in 'The Towering Inferno' (1974).
Astaire married Phyllis Livingston Potter, a socialite, in July 1933; she died in 1954. The couple had two children. Horse racing preoccupied Astaire for many years, and he married a 35-year-old jockey, Robyn Smith, in June 1980. His autobiography, 'Steps in Time', was published in 1959. He died in Los Angeles on June 22, 1987.

Baryshnikov, Mikhail (Born 1948), is one of the world's leading ballet dancers. He performs in a style called bravura, which features brilliant, daring dancing. He is known for his highly developed technique and his fine character interpretations. Baryshnikov was born in Riga, Latvia, and began to study ballet at the age of 12. By the time he was 19, he had become a soloist with the famous Kirov Ballet of Leningrad (now St. Petersburg). Trained by Aleksander Pushkin in Leningrad, he danced with the Kirov and Bolshoi ballets. Baryshnikov defected to the West in 1974 and joined the American Ballet Theatre in New York City. He joined the New York City Ballet in 1978. He was artistic director of the American Ballet Theatre from 1980 until he resigned in 1989. Baryshnikov has danced principal roles in all the standard ballets from the 1800's and in many modern works. He appeared in the films The Turning Point (1977), 'White Nights' (1985) and Dancers (1987), and has choreographed versions of The Nutcracker and Don Quixote. In 1989, Baryshnikov starred on Broadway in the drama Metamorphosis.

Bejart, Maurice (born 1927). Born in Marseilles, France. Ballet dancer and choreographer whose style combined classic ballet and modern dance with jazz and acrobatics. He considered dance to be a way of communicating ideas, and the choreography for his company, the Ballet of the 20th Century, often conveys a message.

Blasis, Carlo (1803-78). Born in Naples, Italy. Ballet dancer, choreographer, and teacher associated with La Scala in Milan. Ballet steps from his books and manuals are standards.

Bruhn, Erik (1928-1986), a Danish ballet dancer, was considered by many experts to be the most perfect dancer of his time in technique and style. His dancing combined strict classical form with vivid dramatic characterization. Bruhn's greatest roles included the male leads in Giselle, La Sylphide, Miss Julie, Night Shadow, Les Sylphides, Swan Lake, and the great classic pas de deux (dances for two persons). Bruhn was born in Copenhagen, Denmark. He was trained at the school of the Royal Danish Ballet, and became a leading dancer with the company in 1949. He danced with many companies throughout the world before retiring as a performer in 1970. Bruhn served as director of the Royal Swedish Ballet from 1967 to 1973. He settled in Canada in 1975 and became director of the National Ballet of Canada in 1983. In this position, Bruhn's vision centred on the development of new Canadian choreography. He also challenged younger dancers in the company by giving them leading roles.

Camargo, Marie (1710-70). Born in Brussels, Belgium, of Spanish descent. Ballerina credited with the 90-degree turnout and entrechat-quatre. Her innovations included shortening her costume so that her unusually difficult footwork could be seen by the audience. She also expanded her technique by removing the heels of her slippers. She wore long, close-fitting undergarments that became the basic ballet tights. Very popular, she had many gourmet dishes named for her by the chef Escoffier. She was mainly associated with the Paris Opera.

Cerrito, Fanny (1817-1909). Born in Naples, Italy. Ballerina of the Romantic period, and one of the few 19th-century women to excel as a choreographer. Her greatest role was 'Ondine'.

Champion, Gower (1921-80). Born in Geneva, Ill. Dancer and choreographer noted for his successful Broadway musical comedies. Champion and his wife, Marge, were a popular team in films and in television, and his choreography for plays such as 'Hello, Dolly!' and '42nd Street' earned Tony awards.

Cunningham, Merce (born 1919). Born in Centralia, Wash. Modern and abstract dancer and influential choreographer. He was a soloist in Martha Graham's troupe before forming his own company. His most frequently performed works are called "events," made up of pieces of other works. Cunningham frequently collaborated with modern artists and composers.

D'Amboise, Jacques (Born 1934), an American dancer, won fame as a featured performer with the New York City Ballet. He earned particular recognition as the male lead in George Balanchine's ballet Apollo. Athletic jumps and a sparkling stage presence marked his style. Jacques Joseph d'Amboise was born in Dedham, Massachusetts. He trained under Balanchine at the School of American Ballet. D'Amboise is remembered for roles in the ballets Western Symphony (1954), Movements for Piano and Orchestra (1963), Meditation (1963), and Union Jack (1976). As a choreographer (dance composer), he created Irish Fantasy (1964) and other ballets. D'Amboise appeared on TV and in films and directed or choreographed several Broadway musicals. In 1976, he established the National Dance Institute to introduce children to the arts through dance.

De Valois, Dame Ninette (Born 1898), born Edris Stannus in Baltiboys, Ireland. Irish dancer and choreographer, founded The Royal Ballet and served as its director until her retirement in 1963. She was born in County Wicklow, Ireland, and trained to be a dancer. In 1926, she opened a school in London and began producing dances for the plays of Shakespeare. The group was first called the Vic-Wells, then the Sadler's Wells Ballet, after the theatres where the company danced. In 1956, the company's name became The Royal Ballet under a charter granted by Queen Elizabeth II.
Dame Ninette choreographed (composed) several dramatic ballets, including Job (1931), The Rake's Progress (1935), and Checkmate (1937). She was made a Dame of the British Empire in 1951.

Elssler, Fanny (1810-84). Born in Gumpendorf, Austria. One of the great ballerinas of the Romantic period who was known for her sensuousness and great dramatic skill. Elssler was one of the first ballerinas to tour the United States (1840). She gave 12 farewell performances in Vienna in 1851.

Fokine, Michel (1880-1942), was a great Russian ballet dancer and choreographer (dance composer). Fokine invented the one-act ballet based on music by a first-rate composer. The dance and scenery in his ballets merge with the mood and drama of the music to create a powerful theatre event. Fokine composed more than 60 one-act ballets between 1905 and 1942. The best known include The Dying Swan, Les Sylphides, Prince Igor, Scheherazade, Le Spectre de la Rose, Petrouchka, L'Epreuve d'Amour, and The Firebird. Fokine was born in St. Petersburg. There he became soloist with the Maryinsky Ballet (now the Kirov Ballet). He left Russia for Western Europe with Sergei Diaghilev's Ballets Russes in 1909. Fokine's early work with the Ballets Russes in Paris marked the beginning of his great career as a choreographer. He became a citizen of the U.S.A. in 1932.

Fosse, Bob (1927-87). Born in Chicago. Dancer, choreographer, and director who began his career in vaudeville and nightclub acts. He became known for his angular style and eccentric ideas as a dance director. His direction of plays such as 'Pippin' and movies such as 'Cabaret' earned numerous awards. He also directed nonmusical movies such as 'Star 80' and 'Lenny'.

Fonteyn, Dame Margot (1919-1991), is generally considered to have been the greatest British ballerina of all time. Critics praised her precise technique and the warmth and delicacy of her style. Sir Frederick Ashton, a great English choreographer (dance composer), created many ballets for her, including Daphnis and Chloe and Symphonic Variations. Fonteyn gave perhaps her greatest performances in Ashton's Ondine. She and Ashton established a refined form of dancing that became known as the British style. Margot Fonteyn was born in Reigate, England. Her real name was Margaret Hookham. When she was 14 years old, Fonteyn began dancing with the Vic-Wells Ballet (now the Royal Ballet) in London. In 1954, she became president of the Royal Academy of Dancing, also in London. In 1962, she began her partnership with the Russian-born dancer Rudolf Nureyev. They appeared in classical and modern ballets. She was named Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1956.

Greco, Jose (born 1918). Born in Montorio nei Frentani, Italy. Dancer and choreographer who became the best-known Spanish dancer outside Spain. He began his career in New York City, where he was discovered by and became the partner of famed dancer La Argentinita. After her death he returned to Spain and formed the Jose Greco Dance Company. He appeared in several films and in 1971 formed the Foundation for Hispanic Dance.

Joffrey, Robert (1930-88). Born Abdullah Jaffa Bey Khan in Seattle, Wash. Choreographer and ballet dancer who founded the Joffrey Ballet in 1956. An earlier company of his gave its first performance in 1954. He choreographed many operas, including several for the New York City Opera. His best-known ballet is 'Astarte'.

Karsavina, Tamara (1885-1978). Born in St. Petersburg, Russia. One of the greatest dancers of the early 20th century, she was the first modern ballerina. Often paired with Vaslav Nijinsky, she was famed for the roles she created in ballets such as 'The Firebird' and 'Petrushka' with Sergei Diaghilev's Ballets Russes. She also helped found the Royal Academy of Dancing in London.

Kelly, Gene (1912-96). Born in Pittsburgh, Pa. Dancer, actor, choreographer, and director whose athletic style reshaped film musicals beginning in the 1940s. He studied dance in his mother's school. Kelly was the original 'Pal Joey' on Broadway in 1940. His films include 'An American in Paris' and 'Singin' in the Rain'.

Laban, Rudolf (1879-1958). Born in Pozsony, Austria-Hungary. A dominant force in European modern dance through the 1930s. He was noted for his Labanotation, a system of recording dance movements and the energy they require.

Limon, Jose (1908-72). Born in Culiacan, Mexico. Choreographer considered one of the greatest of modern dancers. He performed with the Humphrey/Weidman Group in New York City and formed his own company with Doris Humphrey as artistic director in 1945.

Makarova, Natalia (born 1940). Born in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg). Ballerina noted for her technical and expressionistic abilities in classical roles. Her 'Giselle' is considered especially fine. She started with the Kirov Ballet, defected to the West in 1970, and thereafter performed primarily with the American Ballet Theatre, though appearing as a guest artist with many companies. In 1980-81 she directed her own ballet company.

Markova, Dame Alicia (Born 1910), is considered the first great English ballerina. At 14, she joined Sergei Diaghilev's Ballets Russes and became a soloist. After the company disbanded in 1929, she danced with Ballet Rambert and with the Sadler's Wells Ballet (now the Royal Ballet). With these companies, she performed all the principal ballerina roles in the first English productions of the classics. In 1935, she formed the Markova-Dolin Ballet with English dancer Sir Anton Dolin. Her greatest role was the title character in Giselle. Markova described her experiences in the role in Giselle and I (1960). She also wrote a memoir, Markova Remembers (1986). Markova was born in London. Her real name is Lillian Alicia Marks. She retired as a dancer in 1963 and then served as director of the Metropolitan Opera Ballet in New York City until 1969. She remained active as a coach, teacher, and lecturer. Markova was made Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1963.

Martins, Peter (born 1946). Born in Copenhagen, Denmark. Ballet dancer and choreographer who became codirector with Jerome Robbins of the New York City Ballet in 1983. He began his career with the Royal Danish Ballet and received praise for his dancing in the Bournonville repertoire. He became a permanent member of the New York City Ballet under George Balanchine in 1970.

Massine, Leonide (1896-1979). Born in Moscow. Ballet dancer who for many years was the principal choreographer for Diaghilev's Ballets Russes and the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo.

Mitchell, Arthur (born 1934). Born in New York City. Ballet dancer and choreographer who was the first full-time, full-contract African American dancer of the New York City Ballet. He was a cofounder of the Dance Theatre of Harlem and its school.

Mordkin, Mikhail (1880-1944). Born in Moscow. Ballet dancer and choreographer who was considered equal to Michel Fokine and Balanchine. After dancing in the Bolshoi Ballet, he toured the United States with Anna Pavlova. In New York City during the 1920s and 1930s, he founded ballet companies, one becoming the basis of the (American) Ballet Theatre.

Nijinsky, Vaslav (1890-1950), was the most famous male dancer of his time. He was short, with thick thighs and sloping shoulders. Yet he acted out his roles so completely that his appearance seemed to change from one role to another.
Nijinsky had such amazing body control that his dancing looked spontaneous and effortless. One legend tells of a dramatic leap he made through an open window as his exit in Le Spectre de la Rose. He rose slowly, soared across the window ledge, appeared to stop in midair, and was still at the height of his jump as he disappeared. Nijinsky was born in Kiev, Ukraine (then part of the Russian Empire). He first studied dancing at the St. Petersburg Imperial School of Ballet at the age of 10. He travelled with Sergei Diaghilev's ballet company to Paris in 1909, and enjoyed great international success until 1913. He married a dancer in the company in 1913, and Diaghilev dismissed him. Nijinsky rejoined the company in the United States in 1916, dancing as brilliantly as ever. But in 1917, mental illness ended his career.

Nureyev, Rudolf (1938-1993), was one of the greatest ballet dancers of the 1900's. He became known for his exciting stage personality and his strong, expressive dance technique. Nureyev danced more than 100 roles. In 1962, he began a partnership with the famous English ballerina Dame Margot Fonteyn. They performed together in such ballets as Giselle, Swan Lake, and Les Sylphides. As a choreographer (dance composer), Nureyev created new versions of several ballets, including Don Quixote, The Nutcracker, and Raymonda. Nureyev was born near Irkutsk, in Russia. He joined the Kirov Ballet in 1958, and soon became its principal dancer. In 1961, Nureyev defected to the West while the Kirov Ballet was performing in Paris. He then danced with ballet and modern dance companies throughout the Western world and appeared in several dance films. Nureyev served as director of the Paris Opera Ballet from 1983 to 1989.

Page, Ruth (1899-1991). Born in Indianapolis, Ind. Ballet dancer and prolific choreographer of more than 100 ballets. First to create ballets on American themes. Based in Chicago after the 1930s, Page was especially known for her opera choreography.

Pavlova, Anna (1881-1931), a Russian ballerina, became the most famous dancer of her generation. Anna Pavlova was a small, delicate woman whose style of dancing was lovely and graceful. She was best known for "The Dying Swan," a three-minute solo created for her by the Russian choreographer Michel Fokine. Anna Pavlova was born in St. Petersburg. She graduated from the Imperial Ballet School in 1899 and joined the Imperial Ballet Company. In 1906, she became prima ballerina of the company. In 1909, she travelled to Paris to join Sergei Diaghilev's dance company, the Ballets Russes. Pavlova left Russia permanently in 1914 and settled in London. During World War I (1914-1918) she formed her own company and took it on world tours from that time until her death in The Hague, in the Netherlands.

Petipa, Marius (1819-1910). Born in Marseilles, France. Choreographer of the Imperial Ballet who is considered the creator of the classic Russian ballet. After a moderately successful career as a dancer, he was appointed principal dancer at the Imperial Theater in St. Petersburg in 1847, ballet master in 1862, and chief ballet master in 1869. He then dominated the Imperial Ballet until 1903, choreographing more than 60 full-length ballets.

Petit, Roland (born 1924). Born in Villemomble, France. French dancer-choreographer whose ballets combined fantasy with contemporary realism. He joined the Paris Opera Ballet in 1940 but left in 1944 to perform his own works. In 1948 he formed the Ballets de Paris. His most popular ballet on tour was the erotic 'Carmen' (1949), performed by Renee Jeanmaire (Zizi), whom he later married. His film choreography included 'Hans Christian Andersen' (1952), in which he danced with Jeanmaire, and two Leslie Caron films--'The Glass Slipper' (1954) and 'Daddy Long Legs' (1955).

Robbins, Jerome (born 1918). Born Jerome Rabinowitz in New York City. Dancer-choreographer best known for his musical comedies and his innovations in classical ballet. After a successful career as a Broadway dancer, Robbins staged the ballet 'Fancy Free' in 1944; later the same year he adapted it into the musical 'On the Town'. 'High Button Shoes' (1947), 'West Side Story' (1957), 'Gypsy' (1959), and 'Fiddler on the Roof' (1964) are in a long list of successful shows. Beginning in 1950 he choreographed many works for the New York City Ballet as associate artistic director. He later served as codirector with George Balanchine and, from 1983 to 1990, with Peter Martins. Highlights from ten hit musicals choreographed or directed by Robbins were recreated in 'Jerome Robbins' Broadway' (1989).

Robinson, Bill (Bojangles) (1878-1949). Born Luther Robinson in Richmond, Va. Theatrical dancer called the King of Tapology. He danced in films and on Broadway and earned a reputation as the greatest tap dancer of all time. Widely copied, he invented many new steps, including the "stair" dance.

St. Denis, Ruth (1879-1968). Born Ruth Dennis in Newark, N.J. Concert and interpretive dancer known for her exotic themes for dance pieces based on mythology and Oriental cultures and for her "music visualizations" based on classical music, especially piano pieces. She formed the Denishawn style of modern dance, abstract works with Oriental and Greek undertones, and Denishawn schools with her husband, dancer Ted Shawn.

Salle, Marie (1707-56). Born in France. Ballet dancer and choreographer noted for her efforts in developing ballet d'action, or storytelling, movements. She danced in the Paris Opera and London theaters and was a favorite at the French court.

Shawn, Ted (1891-1972). Born in Kansas City, Mo. Concert dancer and choreographer who teamed with Ruth St. Denis to form the Denishawn style. He later worked in the German modern dance movement and in 1933 formed a company of all-male dancers with the intent of lessening public disapproval of dancing by men. He founded Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival.

Taglioni, Marie (1804-1884), was one of the most famous ballerinas of the early 1800's. She transformed dancing on points from a technical stunt to ethereal elegance. Her leaps are described as slow flights through the air. To audiences, the effortless grace of her movements made her appear weightless. Her dancing and her acting looked effortless and cool. Taglioni was born in Stockholm, Sweden. She was trained by her father, Filippo Taglioni, an Italian dancer and choreographer (dance composer). Propelled to international prominence when she introduced 'La Sylphide' (choreographed by her father,) at the Paris Opera in 1832, she wore a diaphanous dress with a belled skirt that inspired the classic tutu. Her dancing in his ballets, started the romantic period in ballet which lasted until the mid-1840's. Audiences all over Europe idolized her. She became one of the most important ballerinas of the Romantic movement. She retired in 1847 to become a teacher.

Tallchief, Maria (Born 1925), became the first American-trained ballerina of international importance. She was known especially for her technical brilliance. Tallchief danced with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo from 1942 to 1947, but her career was chiefly associated with the New York City Ballet. She danced with this company from 1947 to 1965. Tallchief was born in Fairfax, Oklahoma, U.S.A., the daughter of an Osage Indian father and a Scottish-Irish-Dutch mother. She was married to New York City Ballet director George Balanchine from 1946 to 1951. She created roles in many of his ballets, including Orpheus (1948) and Scotch Symphony (1952). Her dancing in Balanchine's version of Firebird (1949) established her international reputation. Tallchief founded the Chicago City Ballet in 1980 and served as its artistic director from 1980 to 1987.

Taylor, Paul (born 1930). Born in Wilkinsburg, Pa. Dancer and modern choreographer who often used a relatively classical style. He danced in Martha Graham's company before the debut of his Paul Taylor Dance Company in 1957.

Tharp, Twyla (born 1941). Born in Portland, Ind. Modern dancer and choreographer whose rapid, seemingly off-balance style achieved great popularity. Tharp used classical and popular music for the dance company she formed in 1965. She also choreographed for films, including 'Amadeus' and 'Hair'. She became full-time artistic associate and resident choreographer of the American Ballet Theatre in 1988.

Tudor, Antony (1908-87). Born William Cook in London, England. Dancer, teacher, and choreographer who broadened classical ballet by eliminating purely decorative choreography and conveying emotion with simple gestures. The result was called psychological ballet; 'Jardin aux Lilas' (1936), 'Pillar of Fire' (1942), and 'Shadowplay' (1968) are three of his best-known works. Tudor danced and choreographed for companies in England, the United States, Sweden, and Canada. He was associate director of the American Ballet Theatre from 1974 to 1988.

Vestris, Gaetano (1729-1808). Born in Florence, Italy. Ballet dancer and choreographer known for his technical ability and creativity. He worked for the Paris Opera from 1748 to 1782 and was ballet master at the King's Theatre in London from 1791 to 1793.

Vigano, Salvatore (1769-1821). Born in Naples, Italy. Dancer, choreographer, and composer known for his pieces with themes of a heroic nature. He often composed or arranged the music that accompanied his ballets. He was the choreographer-commissioner of Beethoven's only ballet score, 'The Creatures of Prometheus'.

Several third party sources were used to compile this information and thus, it is not necessarily the complete work of anyone involved @dance4it.