Thoughts on a Master

                 Now that I have provided a base of valuable information on Lester Horton, I would like to evaluate what this artist means to me. A short time ago, the mention of his name would have brought me to thoughts of a grueling technique class, complete with flat backs, primitive squats, and coccyx balances. While I had always appreciated that his technique was built upon his knowledge of human anatomy, and through that understanding was meant to aid the dancer by increasing their strength and flexibility, I now recognize the value in how it was created. Horton was not a doctor, nor a professor, nor even a college graduate, who already had a deep awareness of anatomy and of how to accomplish this. Instead, he was simply a man who had an interest –an interest in dance, and culture, and the body- and took this curiosity and turned it into something completely unique and worthwhile. As the man himself said, “I am sincerely trying now to create a dance technique based entirely upon corrective exercises, created with a knowledge of human anatomy; a technique which will correct physical faults and prepare a dancer for any type of dancing he may wish to follow; a technique having all the basic movements which govern the actions of the body; combined with a knowledge of the origin of movement and a sense of artistic design” (Pierre 36). This approach is meaningful to me, as a dance student, because his technique is meant to neutralize the dancer and make them ready to take up any style, and I feel immensely lucky to have been able to take classes based on this technique in my past.

            Horton’s role in art is also significant to me, as well as dancers everywhere, because he set a new standard for who could dance and where they could do it. At a time when civil rights tensions pervaded American culture, Horton created the first racially integrated dance company. He established a mindset that guides choreographers to this day, that if he liked what the dancer could do, he wanted them, regardless of ethnic background. Also, by creating his company in California, when much of the dance realm was focused in New York, he pushed the boundaries of where dance could be appreciated by audiences and achieve success. Now dance companies are dispersed across the nation, and I believe that a part of the reason for this can be attributed to the bravery, boldness, and determination of Lester Horton. Through these actions he has opened up opportunities for this art form, as well as given us a batch of artists, including students such as Alvin Ailey, that have made further unforgettable contributions. Lastly, in his constant struggle to make his endeavors work, despite shortages of money and such obstacles, Horton demonstrated an unrelenting sense of perseverance and is an inspiration for many.

Works Cited: Pierre, Dorathi Bock. From Primitive to Modern. “American Dancer.” 1937. Print.