Lynn Garafola

Lynn Garafola is a renowned American dance historian, critic, and educator, known for her extensive research on Ballets Russes, Serge Diaghilev, and George Balanchine. Her work has been widely published in various journals, including Dance Magazine, The New York Times, and The Nation. Garafola's expertise has also been recognized by institutions such as the Library of Congress, New York Public Library, and Dance/USA. She has taught at several prestigious universities, including Columbia University, New York University, and University of California, Los Angeles.

● Early Life and Education

Lynn Garafola was born in the United States and developed an interest in dance at a young age, inspired by choreographers like Martha Graham and Alvin Ailey. She pursued her undergraduate degree at Barnard College, where she studied dance history and theory under the guidance of Selma Jeanne Cohen. Garafola then went on to earn her graduate degree from City University of New York, with a focus on dance criticism and historiography. Her academic background has been influenced by scholars such as Lincoln Kirstein, Doris Humphrey, and Charles Francis Cooke.

● Career

Garafola's career as a dance historian and critic has spanned several decades, during which she has written for prominent publications like The New Yorker, The Village Voice, and Dance View. She has also served as a consultant for various organizations, including the Kennedy Center, American Ballet Theatre, and New York City Ballet. Garafola's expertise has been sought by institutions such as the Smithsonian Institution, National Endowment for the Arts, and National Dance Foundation. Her work has been influenced by choreographers like Jerome Robbins, Twyla Tharp, and Merce Cunningham.

● Research and Publications

Lynn Garafola's research has focused on the history of ballet and modern dance, with a particular emphasis on the Ballets Russes and its impact on 20th-century dance. Her publications include books such as Legacies of Twentieth-Century Dance and The Diaghilev Ballet, 1909-1929: An Exhibition. Garafola has also edited several anthologies, including André Levinson on Dance: Writings from Paris in the Twenties and The Ballets Russes and Its World. Her work has been recognized by awards from the National Book Critics Circle, PEN American Center, and Society of Dance History Scholars.

● Awards and Honors

Throughout her career, Garafola has received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to dance history and criticism. She has been recognized by organizations such as the Dance/USA Honor Award, Capezio Dance Award, and Bessie Award. Garafola has also received fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities, and Rockefeller Foundation. Her work has been supported by institutions such as the New York State Council on the Arts, National Dance Project, and Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.

● Personal Life

Lynn Garafola is a prominent figure in the dance community, known for her insightful criticism and meticulous research. She has been involved with various organizations, including the Dance Critics Association, Society of Dance History Scholars, and Congress on Research in Dance. Garafola has also served on the boards of institutions such as the Trisha Brown Dance Company, Paul Taylor Dance Company, and Martha Graham Dance Company. Her work continues to influence a new generation of dance historians and critics, including scholars like Susan Manning, Mark Franko, and Janice Ross.