Brief Biography of Paul Taylor

Paul Taylor was born July 29, 1930 in Wilkinsburg, PA. He is known as an American modern dancer and choreographer familiar for his inventive, commonly humorous dances that he choreographed for his company. He enrolled into Syracuse University in 1947 on swimming and painting scholarships. Paul Taylor began his dance training in 1951. He later studied modern dance with Martha Graham, Doris Humphrey, and José Limón. He began his professional career in 1953 with Martha Graham’s company, creating such important roles as Aegisthus in Clytemnestra in 1958, Hercules in Alcestis in 1960, and Theseus in Phaedra in 1962. He also performed in works by other modern choreographers, including those of Charles Weidman and Merce Cunningham. He danced a solo created for him by George Balanchine in Episodes in 1959.   His company is currently in its 60th season premiering two new works. 
No longer dancing himself, Taylor has spent the past two decades devoted completely to directing his company and teaching the younger generations the rigors and beauty of dance. Taylor continues to find his inspiration both in the streets and in the studio. For him, watching the dancers move and responding to those movements is an essential part of his work. In this way the choreography becomes both an individual and communal endeavor. Among the dancers to move through his company on the way to starting their own were Laura Dean, Twyla Tharp, Dan Wagoner, and Senta Driver. Through these students and through the continued productions of his dance company, Paul Taylor’s work continues to inspire people throughout the world.

Citations:

http://www.dancemagazine.com/issues/February-2014/Taylor-made

http://ptdc.org/artists-dances/paul-taylor/  
http://www.biography.com/people/paul-taylor-41059#awesm=~oC4iqRUWIj53Zh

Chanos, Carissa