Friday, November 13, 2009

In the Melting Pot

Upon researching the lineage of Pina Bausch, this is what I have found:

Pina Bausch was born in Solingen, Germany during World War II. She began dancing at a young age and when she was fifteen she left home to study with Kurt Jooss at the Folkwang School in Essen. Then, in 1960, she attended the Juilliard School on scholarship and studied with many incredibly influential
dancers and choreographers, including Antony Tudor, José Limón, and Paul Taylor. While in New York City, she was able to fully absorb the elements of modern dance with the Paul Sanasardo and Donya Feuer Dance Company, the New American Ballet, and the Metropolitan Opera Ballet Company. In 1962, Bausch returned to Germany to dance as a soloist in Jooss’ company, Folkwang Ballett Company. She assisted Jooss on many pieces and began choreographing her own, until she succeeded Jooss as artistic director in 1969. Then, in 1972, she started as the artistic director of the Wuppertal Opera Ballet (now known as Tanztheater Wuppertal).

As we can see, Bausch's training came from a melting pot of great dancers and choreographers from all over the world. More insights into how this (along with societal changes/cultural factors) may have influenced her work will come in later posts.


Bausch teaching at a conference for "Nelken"

1 comment:

  1. L- EXCELLENT!!! This blog is so thoroughly researched and organized. What a sensitive tribute you have created.

    ReplyDelete