Are you looking for inspiration in the world of contemporary dance? This list features the most influential and renowned contemporary dancers of all time.
While lyrical dance emphasizes smooth, flowing movements, contemporary dance draws inspiration from jazz and focuses on significant, dynamic moves that challenge traditional dance conventions.
This list will highlight some of the most Influential and Famous Contemporary Dancers in history who have significantly contributed to dance and dance education.
1. Martha Graham – Most famous contemporary dancer of the 20th century
Martha Graham, born on May 11, 1894, and passed on April 1, 1991, was a prominent dancer and choreographer of the 20th century.
Her contributions to American dance earned her the title of “mother of modern dance.” She is best known for creating the Graham technique, which emphasizes the expression of human emotions through body movements.
Martha’s unique dancing style involves a combination of contraction, alternation releasing, and coordination between breathing and movement while maintaining a connection with the floor.
Throughout her 70-year career, she received numerous prestigious awards and recognitions.
These include being the first female dancer to perform at the White House, serving as a cultural ambassador, and receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction, the highest civilian award in the United States.
She also received the Key to the City of Paris and Japan’s Imperial Order of the Precious Crown.
In addition to her artistic accomplishments, Martha Graham was also an esteemed dance teacher.
Her dance academy, the Martha Graham Academy, founded in 1926, is the oldest dance school in the United States.
Many prominent dancers and choreographers like Paul Taylor and Merce Cunningham have emerged from this institution.
2. Charles Weidman
Charles Weidman, born in Lincoln, Nebraska, on July 22, 1901, and passed away on July 15, 1975, was a pioneer of modern dance and the co-founder of the Humphrey Weidman Company. He spent most of his life working alongside Doris Humphrey to contribute to the world of contemporary dance.
Charles began his working life in the Roaring Twenties, a period marked by flourishing arts, fashion, and music, and continued through the Great Depression, the New Deal, and World War II.
Charles developed a dance style based on gravity and the balance of the dancer’s body.
This style required the dancer to go against natural gravity, with much floor contact, jumping, and falling. His style broke free from classical ballet nature and boldly embodied American culture.
He was awarded the Heritage Award in 1970 and was memorialized in the Hall of Fame of Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney at the National Museum of Dance in 1987.
3. Eric Hawkins
Eric Hawkins, a renowned male contemporary dancer and choreographer, was born in Trinidad, Colorado, on April 23, 1909.
Before pursuing classical dance education at the School of American Ballet in Austria, he studied Greek civilization at Harvard. Eric’s career in contemporary dance began with his first choreography, “Snow Piece.”
While working at the Graham Company, Eric Hawkins became a male lead in several of Martha’s works, including “Appalachian Spring” (1944). After leaving the Graham Company, Eric’s dancing career took a completely different direction.
He drew inspiration from various schools of theater, dance, philosophical thoughts from East Asian and ancient Greek, Japanese esthetics & Zen, and Native American dance rituals and folklore to celebrate animals, humans, and natural phenomena using ritual and mysticism.
Secondly, he implemented principles of anatomy and kinesiology in the body’s movement to achieve “think-feel” awareness in sensory.
Throughout his career in contemporary dance, Eric received numerous awards for his exceptional talent, including the Scripps Award at the American Dance Festival in 1988 and the National Medal of Art presented by President Bill Clinton in 1994.
4. Katherine Dunham
Catherine Dunham lived from June 22, 1909, to May 21, 2006, and was a talented dancer and choreographer, considered a matriarch of African-American dance.
She founded the Katherine Dunham School of Dance and the Dunham Technique, which combined elements from African and Caribbean styles to create a unique motion.
Many of her students were African Americans, and her school is still highly respected today.
Dunham performed with the Little Theatre of Harlem Company and became well-known in Latin America, Europe, and Washington DC.
She was dubbed “the queen of dancers” and “the matriarch of Black dance” by the New York Times. She was a significant pioneer in her field.
5. Elizabeth Cameron Dalman – Famous Australian contemporary dancer
Elizabeth Dalman, a prominent Australian contemporary dancer, was born in South Adelaide in 1934.
She has been active in the dance industry since the early age of 3 and has continued to pursue her passion for dancing throughout her life.
Elizabeth started her career by studying dance in London, New York, and Germany. She graduated with a Master of Creative Arts from the University of Western Sydney.
She is known for founding and being the artistic director of The Mirramu Dance Company.
Additionally, Elizabeth was a mentor and board member of the Australian Choreographic Centre. Despite her numerous accomplishments, she remains humble and dedicated to her craft.
6. Francesca Harper
Francesca Harper is an American dancer and choreographer who was born in 1969.
She has an extensive background in contemporary, ballet, and Broadway dance. Currently, she is pursuing an MFA in performance creation at Goddard College.
Francesca’s career began after she performed as the Young Presidential Scholar in the Arts at the White House. She then worked for the Dance Theater of Harlem and became a Principal Dancer for William Forsythe’s Ballett Frankfurt in 1994.
Francesca has also choreographed for other companies, such as the Dallas Black Dance Theater, Tanz Graz, and Hubbard Street II.
In 2008, she founded a non-profit company named after herself, the Francesca Harper Project, and was involved in its choreography work.
Aside from dancing, Francesca has appeared in various public roles.
She was a ballet consultant for the feature film Black Swan (2010) and performed in Zinnias – The Life of Clementine Hunter with director Robert Wilson.
She is also the composer, writer, producer, and narrator for the documentary film To Lillian (2021).
As a teacher, Francesca has worked as a professor at the Juilliard School, Barnard College, NYU, and the Ailey/Fordham BFA program.
7. Kyle Abraham
Kyle Abraham, a modern dancer, and choreographer born on August 14, 1977, is based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is the founder and artistic director of A.I.M in New York City.
Kyle began his dance journey while studying at the Civic Light Opera Academy and the Pittsburgh Creative & Performing Arts School.
He then completed his BFA at SUNY Purchase, MFA at NYU Tish School of the Arts, and a Doctorate of Fine Arts at Washington Jefferson College.
He worked as a performer for various companies, including David Doftman Company and Bill T.Jone/Arnie Zane Dance Company.
In 2006, Kyle founded A.I.M (previously known as Abraham In Motion) to embody Black history and culture through dance.
The works of A.I.M portray Black emotions, life, and the connection between music, dance, and visual arts.
Kyle also works as a choreographer for other dance companies, such as New York City Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and the Royal Ballet.
He is also involved in film, with “The Runaway” for the New York City Ballet in 2018 being listed among “The Best Dance of 2018” by the New York Times.
8. Robert Garland
Robert Garland is a talented contemporary dancer and choreographer of the 21st century.
Robert has an impressive resume, having worked as the principal dancer, Director of the Training Program, webmaster, and first choreographer for the Dance Theater of Harlem (DTH).
He has also lent his skills to choreographing for various organizations, including the New York City Ballet, the Oakland Ballet, and the Royal Ballet. Currently, he serves as the Director of the DTH School.
Robert’s passion for dance began at 15 when he joined the Philadelphia Dance Company.
He obtained his Bachelor of Fine Arts from Julliard School in 1983 and then worked as an apprentice at the Dancer Theater of Harlem.
Quickly rising through the ranks, Robert became the manager and the first resident choreographer for the organization.
In addition to his work with DTH, Robert has taken on roles as the first black choreographer for the Royal Ballet of London and other similar organizations.
He has even appeared in music videos, commercial films, and short films, such as the “Charmin Cha-Cha” commercial for Procter & Gamble.
9. Amy Hall Garner – Famous contemporary dancer today
Amy Hall Garner, a talented dancer in modern, theatrical, and ballet styles, was born in Huntsville, Alabama, New York.
She has received worldwide recognition for her skills and has even served as a personal coach for Beyoncé.
After graduating from The Juilliard School, she worked with several dance companies and schools, including Collage Dance Collective, Ailey II, The Juilliard School, The Ailey School, The University of the Arts, Barnard College, Columbia Ballet Collaborative, and Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet.
Amy Garner was one of the first dancers to receive the Winning Works Award from the Joffrey Ballet, previously known as the Choreography of Color Award.
As an educator, Amy Garner has taught at the Joffrey Ballet School and the American Ballet Theater. She has also conducted numerous master classes and residencies throughout the United States.
Currently, Amy Garner teaches at the New Studio on Broadway at Tisch School of the Arts, NYU.
FAQs
Who is the most famous contemporary dancer?
The most famous contemporary dancer of our time is Martha Graham.
Martha Graham, the mother of modern dance, was a renowned contemporary dancer and choreographer in the 20th century.
Her contributions to American dance were highly valued, specifically her development of the Graham technique.
This technique emphasizes the portrayal of human emotions through bodily movements.
Who are the 3 person who started contemporary dance?
The three people who started contemporary dance were Martha Graham, Mary Wigman, and Merce Cunningham.
1. Martha Graham was an American dancer and choreographer whose works revolutionized modern dance and were a significant influence on postmodern dance.
2. Mary Wigman was a German dancer and choreographer credited with developing Expressionist Dance, a style of movement that featured dramatic music, exaggerated shapes, emotional expression, and innovative costuming.
3. Merce Cunningham was an American dancer and choreographer whose works incorporated elements from both modern and postmodern dancing styles. His revolutionary techniques laid the foundation for contemporary dance as we know it today.
Who is best known as a contemporary dancer-choreographer?
The most renowned contemporary dancer-choreographer in the world is undoubtedly Crystal Pite.
Crystal Pite is a highly acclaimed Canadian choreographer known for her boundary-pushing works and award-winning creations, including BETWEEN THE LINES (2013) and The Tempest Replica (2015).
She has created works for some of the world’s leading dance companies, such as The Paris Opera Ballet, Royal Ballet of London, Nederlands Dans Theater, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago.
Her visual artistry is stunningly displayed in her trademark use of intricate partnering and inventive abstract movement that reaches beyond the boundaries of traditional, contemporary ballet.
From being named one of TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People to receiving a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal from Canada for her immense cultural contribution.
Who are the 3 most influential dance masters of contemporary dance?
The three most influential dance masters of contemporary dance are Twyla Tharp, Akram Khan, and Martha Graham.
1. Twyla Tharp is a four-time Emmy Award-winning choreographer and one of the first to bring ballet and modern dance together.
2. Akram Khan is known for his unique fusion of Indian Kathak and Contemporary Dance forms. He has also collaborated with leading composers, directors, and visual artists in producing some truly remarkable works.
3. Martha Graham was an American dancer/choreographer who revolutionized the world of modern dance with her distinct style, which integrated movement/expression for maximum emotional impact. Her influence on contemporary dancers to this day remains unparalleled.
Which country is famous for contemporary dance?
Contemporary dance is a popular art form worldwide, but it is especially prominent in the United States.
Companies such as Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and the National Dance Institute have helped to shape and define modern contemporary dance firmly within America’s cultural identity.
The influence of African American culture on contemporary dance is also hugely significant, with many of its movements inspired by traditional rhythms of jazz, blues, hip-hop, and more.
American choreographers have been at the forefront of pushing contemporary dance into new forms and techniques, such as street Jazz, hip-hop theater, and experimental collaborations between different styles.
Who is the father of contemporary dance?
The father of contemporary dance is often credited with the late American choreographer and dancer Merce Cunningham.
He developed a new style of modern dance based on a random selection of movement sequences set to music.
His work, which emphasized extreme physical conditions and unusual dynamic movement combinations, paved the way for developing new modern dance styles in the US.
Merce Cunningham has been immense, influencing popular culture through his unique artistic vision in dance forms such as postmodernism.
His contributions to culture have made him an iconic figure of modern dance, earning him the title of “Father of Contemporary Dance.”
Who is the mother of modern contemporary dance?
Isadora Duncan (1877-1927) is widely considered to be the mother of modern contemporary dance.
Born in California, she was a revolutionary performer and choreographer who redefined traditional societal conventions and expectations about femininity and gender.
She developed a new, more accessible form of dance that allowed performers to express themselves with emotion rather than technical precision.
Isadora rejected the idea of rigid, classical ballet, instead embracing individual creativity and improvisation, which led to avant-garde, dynamic performances unlike anything ever seen before.
She is remembered for her graceful yet powerful movements as well as her striking, Greek-inspired costumes and innovative approach to teaching movement expression.
Conclusion
Famous contemporary dancers have a significant effect on our culture and society.
Contemporary dancers take their viewers on an emotional journey through their unique talents, from innovative choreography to show-stopping performances.
In short, their influence on dance around the world is undeniable.
Who is your favorite among them? Please leave a comment to let us know.
