Classical ballet is a traditional, formal style of ballet that adheres to classical
ballet technique. It is known for its aesthetics and rigorous technique (such as pointe
work, turnout of the legs, and high extensions), its graceful, flowing, and precise
movements, and its ethereal qualities.
The influential dancer I chose to write about is Margot Fonteyn, She was born May 18,
1919 she was the greatest England classical ballet dancer ever born, she travel all over the
world when she was a little girl not knowing that she would be doing that in her career as
prima ballerina. As a little girl she trained in different ballet schools that only her mother
approved of and if she wanted to succeed in the ballet world she had to change
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Until she retired in 1979 at the
age of 61 years old. “In the extremely competitive world of ballet, Fonteyn was renowned
for her consummate professionalism and loyalty to her friends” (Wikipedia), when she
was married she had to come out of retirement because of medical bills. She performed at
the South Africa, Chile, and Nureyev’s 1979 summer season. Then her last stage perforce
was February 1986 at the age of 66 as the queen in sleeping Beauty at the Royal Ballet in
Miami FL. Margot Fonteyn died February 21, 1991. I became interested in dance when I
was a teenager, as I sat in the adunciend watching the dancers on stage made me want get
up there dance with theme but I didn’t because I didn’t know how and and I would got
kicked off the stage so when I decided to start dancing I was 17 years and I chose ballet
started my first ballet class when I was 17 years old it was at an after school community
center for teens. I finished the class but the only part I didn’t do was to show up
25, 1931 in Chicago, Illinois. She was an African American woman, who from a young age had
At the age of two I put ballet shoes on for the first time. At eleven I began touring with performance groups. By age twelve, I knew how to dance through broken toes and fractures.
According to Katherine, “A creative person has to create. It doesn’t really matter what they create. If such a dance wanted to go out and build the cactus gardens where he could, in Mexico, let him do that, but something that is creative has to go on. (Katherine, Dunham, Dancing a life, 2002)”. It has been said that an idol is someone whom everyone looks up to because of the great things they accomplished throughout their life span. Acknowledged as an African American dancer, choreographer, anthropologist, civil activist and writer. Katherine Dunham, not only normally known for the generous acts of kindness but also for the huge impact she had in incorporating different dance styles and creating them into her very own ballet pieces. An influential woman who supported African American culture and believed there shouldn’t be any divisions between people. Not completely another mother of modern dance but a women who greatly influenced modern dance to enhance it in many ways. Katherine is and was famous for her anthropology movement in the world of dance, her creativity and dedication.
Maria Tallchief had an artistic childhood. She was born on January 24, 1925, in Fairfax, Oklahoma, on the Osage Indian Reserve. Her father was a full-blooded Osage Native American. However, her mother was Scottish and Irish. As a child, Tallchief loved playing outside. She enjoyed practicing piano and doing ballet, too (Technological Solutions, Inc.). Sometimes, her mother would sneak her to see an Osage pow-wow, so she could experience their culture through what she loved. The arts had such a large impact on her that she devoted most of her free time to piano and ballet. This time of happiness did not last long, however. When Tallchief was eight, her family moved to Los Angeles, California, and everything changed.
Martha Graham is a one of the many 20th century important dancer and she’s also the mother of modern dance. She was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on May 11 1894. Her teen years she studied dance in Los Angeles. Where she studied was at Denishawn. In 1926 she then had her own dance company in New York City. Martha still was dancing when she was 60 and she also choreographed. In the Autobiography by Victoria Phillips Martha Graham saids this about her Autobiography, “I am not out to make a preach about my life. Some of it has been wonderful and I’ve been very, very fortunate some of it I regret. The things which are, perhaps, too private to ever reveal—one refuses to reveal.” (Phillips 65).
her plain appearance and the charm of her imperfect training. She was often known as
Her lasting career was not given to her easily, therefore, creating an inspiring story full of hardships and success. Ever since she was a little girl, her dream was to become a successful and famous dancer. In New York City, when she was trying to fulfill her dream, she was unable to find a job in the theatre department. Instead of being discouraged, she decided to make something good come from it. She choreographed her own routines, created her own costumes, and organized solo recitals for audiences to enjoy. This event led her to the biggest adventure in her life that would later impact the world. She was invited to return back to London to pursue her education in the performing arts, so that she could further improve her talents that would make up her entire career.
At eleven years old, she was discovered by Gus Edwards and performed in a dinner show called the Vaudeville Kiddie Revue. In her teenage years she could often be found dancing in clubs. Then, she started auditioning for Broadway shows. The reason she started tap dancing was because the fact that every audition she went to, she was asked to tap dance. So, she enrolled in the Jack Donahue School in New York. After her first class, she didn’t want to come back because she felt so behind. Jack called her and told her to come back, so she did. By her seventh lesson, she was finally getting good.
However, her death brought a reflection upon one of the world’s greatest ballerinas. Approximately forty years of dancing, and she clearly demonstrated a new an important art form to the world. Fonteyn’s celebrated life as a ballerina greatly advanced the popularity of dance, not only in Great Britain but also around the world. Her time with the Sadler’s Wells helped to establish the company, which today the Royal Ballet continues to be a major presence in the world ballet community. Lastly, her later success with Nureyev broke down traditional assumptions about the ability of mature dancers to continue vigorous performance careers with partners a significant age
Her stage career began in 1919 in the United States when she toured with The Jones Family Band and The Dixie Steppers (About Josephine Baker). During that time she did comical skits, but wished to advance to a chorus girl. Originally she was thought to be “too skinny and too dark,” but when one of the dancers left, she was able to fill in (About). The audience loved her.
On April 28, 1928, a star was born. Shirley grew up in Santa Monica, California, with wonderful parents, George and Gertrude Temple, and two older brothers, Jack and George Jr. (Severson). Mrs. Temple was a performer, and encouraged her daughter to do the same. When Shirley was three, she began to dance at a small, local dance studio (“Shirley Temple (1928-2014)”). Dancing was easy for her, and her little feet tapping away with her great big smile amazed many because at a young age she had great talent. One day two producers were there scouting, and immediately fell in love with the girl with big brown eyes. She was signed a contract, and from there her career set off.
When I was about four or five years old, I was introduced to Ballet. I adored being a little ballerina and would read the same dance booklet everyday, practicing the five positions and gracefully positioning my tiny arms and fingers to match the little girl in the illustrations. Because I loved dance so much, my mother enrolled me in Donna Hammond-Phelps
Diana showed great determination by following what she believed in. She had a passion for ballet throughout her entire life. When she was at boarding school, she would sneak down to an empty corridor at night and practice for hours on end. Even though she grew too tall to accomplish her dreams of becoming a professional ballerina, she kept dancing throughout her adult years (Morton 125).
I had my first dance recital on the day I turned four. Now I don’t remember anything from that day, but I believe that that day is when I learned I loved to perform. I’ve been taking dance lessons since then, and many things that I do now involve performing in some type of way.
As a child I always wanted to be in the spotlight. I was always the ham in family pictures, the one who had to excel past my brother, and be in the know of everything. When I was about twelve years old, I realized that entertaining people was what I was all about. Since I wasn’t any good at telling the jokes around the campfire or singing acappella, I thought about trying my dance skills. I liked dancing and I have always enjoyed music videos like Janet Jackson’s “Miss you much”, so I thought why not? What did I have to lose? With the support of my parents, particularly my mom, I went for the gusto.