People

Iconic Choreographers

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Updated:4/9/2026
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Choreographer
Country
Years
Style
Known For
George Balanchine
Russia/United States
1904-1983Neoclassical balletCo-founded NYCB, 400+ works, Agon, Apollo, plotless speed, Stravinsky collaborations
Martha Graham
United States
1894-1991Modern danceGraham technique (contract-release), Appalachian Spring, 70-year career, 181 works
Merce Cunningham
United States
1919-2009Postmodern / avant-gardeChance operations, Cage partnership (life and work), independent dance-music
Bob Fosse
United States
1927-1987Jazz / BroadwayCabaret, Chicago, Pippin, bowler hats and turned-in knees, signature angular style
Jerome Robbins
United States
1918-1998Ballet / BroadwayWest Side Story, Fancy Free, NYCB co-ballet master, Fiddler on the Roof
Pina Bausch
Germany
1940-2009TanztheaterWuppertal Tanztheater, Cafe Muller, earth-on-stage, theatrical emotional extremity
Marius Petipa
France/Russia
1818-1910Classical balletFather of classical ballet, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Nutcracker choreography
Frederick Ashton
United Kingdom
1904-1988Classical balletRoyal Ballet founder choreographer, La Fille mal gardee, English style lyricism
Kenneth MacMillan
United Kingdom
1929-1992Dramatic balletRomeo and Juliet, Manon, Mayerling, dark narrative ballets, Royal Ballet director
Alvin Ailey
United States
1931-1989Modern danceRevelations (most-watched modern dance work), Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Twyla Tharp
United States
1941-Modern / crossoverMovin' Out (Billy Joel), Push Comes to Shove, classical-pop fusion, memoir
Paul Taylor
United States
1930-2018Modern danceEsplanade, Company B, Taylor Company, 140+ works, lyrical American modernism
William Forsythe
United States/Germany
1949-Contemporary balletFrankfurt Ballet revolution, In the Middle Somewhat Elevated, ballet deconstruction
Mats Ek
Sweden
1945-Contemporary balletDark reimaginings of Giselle and Swan Lake, Cullberg Ballet, psychological intensity
Jiri Kylian
Czechia/Netherlands
1947-Contemporary balletNederlands Dans Theater, Sinfonietta, Petite Mort, 100+ works, sculptural
Michael Bennett
United States
1943-1987BroadwayA Chorus Line, Dreamgirls, Follies, concept musical choreographer-director
Gower Champion
United States
1919-1980BroadwayHello Dolly, 42nd Street, Bye Bye Birdie, died on opening night of 42nd Street
Akram Khan
United Kingdom
1974-Contemporary / kathakLondon 2012 Olympics opening, Giselle reimagined, solo and ensemble work
Crystal Pite
Canada
1970-Contemporary balletKidd Pivot founder, Betroffenheit, Flight Pattern, Royal Ballet commissions
Wayne McGregor
United Kingdom
1970-Contemporary balletRoyal Ballet resident, Chroma, cerebral body research, Harry Potter film choreography

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