Lester Horton, modern dance pioneer ([The Dance program)

Lester Horton (1906 - 1953) was an American dancer, choreographer, and teacher. Horton developed his own approach to dance that incorporated diverse elements including Native American Folk Dance, Japanese arm gestures, Javanese and Balinese isolations for the upper body, particularly the eyes, head and hands. Horton also included Afro-Caribbean elements, like hip circles. Horton's dance technique, which is now commonly known as Horton Technique, has no style, per se. The technique emphasizes a whole body, anatomical approach to dance that includes flexibility, strength, coordination and body and spatial awareness to enable unrestricted, dramatic freedom of expression. Since Horton's death, his dance technique and choreography have become widely known and practiced. Horton choreographed many Hollywood movies such as "Salome, Where She Danced" and trained many significant mid-20th century dancers such as Alvin Ailey. Horton's legacy has survived through the www.lhdt.org Lester Horton Dance Theater Foundation, Inc., which is dedicated to preserving and promoting Horton's contributions as a dancer, choreographer, and educator. Also, various dance companies such as the Joyce Trisler Danscompany focus on Horton's technique,", as well as the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre and School.