Isadora Duncan (1877-1927) is often referred to as the “Mother of Modern Dance.” She traveled from her hometown of San Francisco to Europe, where she danced alone on the most distinguished stages of her day. Isadora is credited as the first western dancer to dance barefoot on stage, wearing loose-fitting Greek tunics with her hair free-flowing. She danced to music not composed specifically for dance, with no scenery, and sometimes to the words of great poets. Isadora’s work was revolutionary, breaking the social constraints placed upon women of the Victorian era. Her innovative ideas extended from the stage to the classroom, where she taught children not only the art of dance, but a unique approach to life. Isadora said “To dance is to live, what I want is a school of life.” While she had no specific teachers on this journey, Isadora’s theories and her philosophies were influenced heavily by her own experiences and her readings. In her autobiography, Isadora explains that, “The only dance masters I could have were Jean-Jacques Rousseau (“Emile”), Walt Whitman, and Nietzsche.”
For more information about Isadora Duncan, please contact us at info@isadoranow.org.
Isadora Duncan’s Legacy
Duncan dance is an oral tradition passed on through generations. Isadora’s six protégés, often called the Isadorables, are usually considered the first generation of Duncan dancers. isadoraNOW is led by a fourth and fifth generation Duncan dancer. We pass on Isadora’s work to our dancers and our students as we were taught by our teachers and their teachers before them. Thus our direct lineage from Isadora is demonstrated through our classes and performances.