Looking Towards 100 Years of Peabody Dance

Anticipating its 100th birthday in the fall of 2014 (a life-span few, if any, American dance training centers can boast), Peabody Dance, the Dance Department of the Peabody Preparatory, continues to keep in step with the progression of American dance into the 21st century. Led by Artistic Director Carol Bartlett since 1988, with dance visionary Barbara Weisberger, Artistic Advisor since 2001, Peabody Dance has substantially invigorated its curriculum and greatly enhanced its reputation. Today, Peabody Dance has become widely recognized for its high-quality training taught by a stellar faculty and renowned guest artists, imaginative professional-level performances, and vitally important programs which reach out to the regional and national dance communities and include open master classes, inspiring teachers' seminars, and other outstanding events.

For the past two years, a Centennial Task Force of avidly devoted staff and volunteers has worked to research and assemble a treasure chest of dance history at Peabody. Consistengly at the forefront of the evolution of 20th century American dance, Peabody has pioneered new dance forms and mounted remarkable collaborations throughout the decades, providing an innovative training ground for master performers to develop their work. Opening its doors in 1914, Peabody Dance was the first school to offer Dalcroze Eurythmics in the U.S. A succession of "firsts" followed, such as: research culminating in a syllabus of American Indian dance steps and ritual dances; exchanges initiated by mid-century dance visionary Carol Lynn, which brought female dancers to Ted Shawn's program at Jacob's Pillow and introduced film as a recording method for dance; and Anthony Tudor as artist-in-residence at Peabody, offering classes for male dancers and adagio. Throughout its history, there has been a close connection with American Ballet Theatre, Juilliard, and major individuals who have shaped American dance. Since the 1950's, such figures as modern dancer Dale Sehnert, Spanish dancer Maria Morales, tap dancer Mary Jane Brown, and our present artistic director and choreographer, Carol Bartlett, have developed ground-breaking programs and produced widely acclaimed professional dancers and directors, including recent Peabody Dance alumni now in Mark Morris Dance Group, Ailey II, and ABT Studio Company.

Whether you are a student, patron, alumnus, or friend, Peabody Dance is honored to invite you to be part of future events planned through our Centennial Celebration in 2014-2015.