Dance Exam 3 questions well
answered graded A+
Isadora Duncan - correct answer ✔✔ Born in California [1877-1927] inspired by nature,
expression of spiritual feelings and emotions. "I am an enemy to the ballet which I consider a
false and preposterous art". She wear Greek
tunic and bare feet.
What were Isadora's schools like? - correct answer ✔✔ -developed a technique that used
hopping, running, swaying, skipping.
-natural and expressive movement.
-inspired by Greek history and architecture.
-danced barefooted with sheer-see through tunics in a Greek style.
-found fame in Europe and Russia. America had to warm to her.
-paved the way for all Modern dancers and choreographers to follow.
-like hippies and flower children of the 6o's. Naive, idealistic, undisciplined lifestyle.
Who started modern dance? - correct answer ✔✔ Isadora Duncan
Ruth St. Denis - correct answer ✔✔ was born in New Jersey and was a show girl [one step above
a prostitute]. She changed her name and began designing modern dances. Brought dances from
India, Japan, Egypt and Spain to audiences with husband Ted Shawn. Impersonated oriental
goddesses and priestesses
Denishawn School and Company - correct answer ✔✔ Ted Shawn and Ruth St. Denis' dance
school. Performances included ethnic dance forms,
large cast of dancers, elaborate costumes and sets in epic Hollywood films
, Ted Shawn - correct answer ✔✔ His dancing improved the image of
male dancers as a complete artist not just adjunct to the female. Started the 'first all male'
dance company. Bought a farm in Mass. and
started 'Jacob's Pillow' and 'Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival
Martha Graham - correct answer ✔✔ Danced in Ruth St. Denis' Dance company and was taught
by Ruth. Her father was a psychiatrist and always told her that 'the body does not lie'. This
individual is known for using gravity and the floor; contractions using the breath out of the back;
falls and release. Was a strict and stern woman and was not known for having fun. One of her
most famous choreography was ' Appalachian Spring'.
Katherine Dunham - correct answer ✔✔ (born 1912)
-choreographed first black concert of Modern Dance.
-Combined Caribbean dance movement with Modern dance technique.
-A researcher, scholar, and Doctor of Anthropologist.
-Wanted a technique to be as important to the black person as the white
person. Give to the black dance student the courage to study and
perform.
-Presented the ARTICULATED TORSO to audiences
-Danced in many Hollywood movies including the award winning movie "Stormy Weather".
Merce Cunningham - correct answer ✔✔ danced with the Martha Graham Dance Company and
later started his own dance company, 'Merce Cunningham Dance
Company'. He was a choreographer, company director, teacher and a great influence on modern
dance. He mixed medias using television and film in his dances.
Alvin Ailey - correct answer ✔✔ African-American choreographer and activist who founded the
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York City. He is credited with popularizing modern
answered graded A+
Isadora Duncan - correct answer ✔✔ Born in California [1877-1927] inspired by nature,
expression of spiritual feelings and emotions. "I am an enemy to the ballet which I consider a
false and preposterous art". She wear Greek
tunic and bare feet.
What were Isadora's schools like? - correct answer ✔✔ -developed a technique that used
hopping, running, swaying, skipping.
-natural and expressive movement.
-inspired by Greek history and architecture.
-danced barefooted with sheer-see through tunics in a Greek style.
-found fame in Europe and Russia. America had to warm to her.
-paved the way for all Modern dancers and choreographers to follow.
-like hippies and flower children of the 6o's. Naive, idealistic, undisciplined lifestyle.
Who started modern dance? - correct answer ✔✔ Isadora Duncan
Ruth St. Denis - correct answer ✔✔ was born in New Jersey and was a show girl [one step above
a prostitute]. She changed her name and began designing modern dances. Brought dances from
India, Japan, Egypt and Spain to audiences with husband Ted Shawn. Impersonated oriental
goddesses and priestesses
Denishawn School and Company - correct answer ✔✔ Ted Shawn and Ruth St. Denis' dance
school. Performances included ethnic dance forms,
large cast of dancers, elaborate costumes and sets in epic Hollywood films
, Ted Shawn - correct answer ✔✔ His dancing improved the image of
male dancers as a complete artist not just adjunct to the female. Started the 'first all male'
dance company. Bought a farm in Mass. and
started 'Jacob's Pillow' and 'Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival
Martha Graham - correct answer ✔✔ Danced in Ruth St. Denis' Dance company and was taught
by Ruth. Her father was a psychiatrist and always told her that 'the body does not lie'. This
individual is known for using gravity and the floor; contractions using the breath out of the back;
falls and release. Was a strict and stern woman and was not known for having fun. One of her
most famous choreography was ' Appalachian Spring'.
Katherine Dunham - correct answer ✔✔ (born 1912)
-choreographed first black concert of Modern Dance.
-Combined Caribbean dance movement with Modern dance technique.
-A researcher, scholar, and Doctor of Anthropologist.
-Wanted a technique to be as important to the black person as the white
person. Give to the black dance student the courage to study and
perform.
-Presented the ARTICULATED TORSO to audiences
-Danced in many Hollywood movies including the award winning movie "Stormy Weather".
Merce Cunningham - correct answer ✔✔ danced with the Martha Graham Dance Company and
later started his own dance company, 'Merce Cunningham Dance
Company'. He was a choreographer, company director, teacher and a great influence on modern
dance. He mixed medias using television and film in his dances.
Alvin Ailey - correct answer ✔✔ African-American choreographer and activist who founded the
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York City. He is credited with popularizing modern
