8 Famous Contemporary Dancers

Dance has been an art form that has captivated audiences for centuries. Contemporary dance, in particular, has taken the world by storm in recent years. Here are some of the most famous contemporary dancers who have made their mark on the dance world:

1. Misty Copeland
2. Akram Khan
3. Martha Graham
4. Alvin Ailey
5. Pina Bausch
6. Crystal Pite
7. Merce Cunningham
8. Twyla Tharp

1. Misty Copeland

Misty Copeland is primarily known as a classical ballet dancer rather than a contemporary dancer. While she has performed some contemporary dance pieces during her career, her fame, and achievements are largely associated with the world of ballet.

1. In addition to being the first African American woman to be promoted to principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre, Copeland has also been recognized with numerous other awards and honors, including being named one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2015.
2. Copeland is also a best-selling author, having published a memoir, "Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina", in 2014, as well as several children's books inspired by her own experiences.

That being said, Copeland's contributions to the dance world go beyond any specific genre or style. She has been a powerful force for change in the industry, advocating for greater diversity and inclusivity in dance, and inspiring countless people to pursue their dreams and overcome obstacles.

2. Akram Khan

Akram Khan is a British dancer and choreographer who is known for his fusion of classical Indian dance and contemporary dance. He has collaborated with a range of artists and musicians and has been awarded numerous accolades for his contributions to contemporary dance.

1. Khan has choreographed several large-scale productions, including the 2012 London Olympic Games opening ceremony, which was watched by an estimated 900 million people worldwide.

2. He has also founded his own dance company, Akram Khan Company, which has toured extensively around the world and performed in prestigious venues such as the Lincoln Center in New York and the Sydney Opera House.

3. He has worked with many famous musicians, including Anoushka Shankar and Nitin Sawhney, and has created works that explore themes of identity, migration, and cultural hybridity.
4. Khan has been recognized with numerous awards and honors for his contributions to dance and the arts, including a Laurence Olivier Award, a New York City Center Choreography Fellowship, and a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).

Some fun facts about Akram Khan include that he began studying kathak dance at the age of 7 and that he has been a guest judge on the TV show "So You Think You Can Dance" in the UK.

3. Martha Graham

Martha Graham is often referred to as the mother of contemporary dance. She developed her style of dance, which was characterized by its emotional intensity and expressionism. Graham's work has been performed by countless dancers around the world, and her legacy continues to inspire new generations of dancers.

1. She began studying dance at the age of 22, which is considered late for a professional dance

2. She created over 180 works during her career, including her most famous piece, "Appalachian Spring," which won a Pulitzer Prize for music.

3. She was also known for collaborating with other artists, including composer Aaron Copland, sculptor Isamu Noguchi, and designer Noguchi.
4. Graham's company, the Martha Graham Dance Company, is still active today and continues to perform her works around the world.
5. She was awarded numerous honors and awards during her career, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the National Medal of Arts.
6. Graham was also a teacher and mentor to many dancers, including Merce Cunningham and Paul Taylor, who went on to become famous choreographers in their own right.
7. Graham was a prolific writer, and her autobiography, "Blood Memory," is still widely read today.

4. Alvin Ailey

Alvin Ailey was an American dancer and choreographer who founded the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. His work was characterized by its fusion of African American cultural influences with modern dance techniques. Ailey's legacy continues to be celebrated through the annual performances of his dance company.

1. Ailey founded the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1958, which is now one of the most celebrated modern dance companies in the world.

2. His most famous work is "Revelations," a dance piece that explores African American religious and cultural experiences. It has been performed by the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater thousands of times and is considered a masterpiece of modern dance.

3. He was also influenced by his experiences as a young black man in the segregated South, and many of his dance pieces explored themes of racism, oppression, and social justice.

4. He received numerous awards during his lifetime, including the Kennedy Center Honors, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the National Medal of Arts.

5. Ailey died in 1989 from complications of AIDS, but his legacy continues through the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, which still performs his works and commissions new works from contemporary choreographers.

6. He is remembered as a visionary artist who helped to bring modern dance to a wider audience and who created works that celebrated African American culture and experience

Alvin Ailey was an American dancer and choreographer who founded the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. His work was inspired by African American culture and was known for its emotional intensity. 

5. Pina Bausch

Pina Bausch was a German dancer and choreographer who is known for her pioneering work in the field of Tanztheater, a form of dance theater that combines elements of dance, theater, and visual art. Her work was often controversial and provocative, but always thought-provoking and emotionally powerful.

1. She was the artistic director of the Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch, a dance company that she founded in 1973, and which continues to perform her works today.

2. She was born in Germany in 1940 and began studying dance at the age of 14. She went on to study with modern dance pioneer Kurt Jooss and later worked with the Folkwang Tanzstudio in Essen.

3. Bausch was a prolific choreographer and created over 40 works during her career. Her most famous works include "Café Müller," "The Rite of Spring," and "Viktor."

4. She received numerous awards during her lifetime, including the Kyoto Prize, the Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale, and the French Legion of Honor.

5. Bausch died in 2009 from cancer, but her legacy continues through the Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch and through the many dancers and choreographers she inspired during her lifetime.

6. Crystal Pite

Crystal Pite is a famous contemporary dancer and choreographer who is known for her inventive, emotionally charged works that combine dance, theater, and multimedia elements. Here are some reasons why she is famous and some fun facts about her life:

1. Pite is the founder and artistic director of Kidd Pivot, a dance company that she founded in 2002. The company has since become one of the most celebrated contemporary dance companies in the world.

2. She has choreographed works for many prestigious dance companies, including the National Ballet of Canada, the Paris Opera Ballet, and the Royal Ballet.

3. Pite's works often explore themes of vulnerability, human connection, and the struggle for power and control. She is known for creating intense, physically demanding pieces that showcase the virtuosity of her dancers.

4. She was born in British Columbia, Canada, in 1970, and began studying dance at the age of four. She went on to study at the Banff Centre for the Arts and later joined the Frankfurt Ballet.

5. Pite has won numerous awards and honors during her career, including the Olivier Award for Best New Dance Production, the Prix Benois de la Danse, and the Jacob's Pillow Dance Award.

6. She has collaborated with many artists from different disciplines, including playwright Jonathon Young, composer Owen Belton, and filmmaker Tom Visser.

7. Pite is known for her innovative use of technology in her performances, often incorporating projections and interactive digital elements into her works.

8. She is also a sought-after teacher and mentor and has led workshops and residencies for dance companies and universities around the world.

7. Merce Cunningham

Merce Cunningham was a famous contemporary dancer and choreographer who is considered one of the most important figures in the history of modern dance. Here are some reasons why he was famous and some fun facts about his life:

1. Cunningham was known for his innovative approach to choreography, which emphasized movement for its own sake rather than as a means of telling a story or expressing emotion.

2. Cunningham founded the Merce Cunningham Dance Company in 1953, which went on to become one of the most influential contemporary dance companies of the 20th century.

3. He collaborated with many famous artists throughout his career, including composer John Cage, visual artist Robert Rauschenberg, and filmmaker Charles Atlas.

4. Cunningham was born in Centralia, Washington, in 1919, and began dancing at the age of 20. He went on to study with modern dance pioneer Martha Graham and later became a soloist with her company.

5. Cunningham continued to create works into his 80s, and his final piece, "Nearly Ninety," premiered in 2009 when he was 90 years old.

6. He received numerous awards and honors during his lifetime, including the National Medal of Arts, the MacArthur Fellowship, and the French Legion of Honor.

7. Cunningham was known for his unconventional approach to performance, often staging his works in unconventional spaces such as museums, galleries, and public parks.

8. Twyla Tharp

Twyla Tharp is a choreographer who is known for her eclectic style that blends elements of ballet, jazz, and modern dance. She has worked with many famous musicians, including Billy Joel and David Byrne, and has created works for both the stage and the screen.

1. Tharp is known for her eclectic and versatile approach to dance, which incorporates elements of classical ballet, modern dance, jazz, and even popular music and culture.

2. She has choreographed works for many prestigious dance companies, including the American Ballet Theatre, the Paris Opera Ballet, and the New York City Ballet.

3. Tharp has also worked extensively in film and theater, choreographing dance sequences for movies like "Hair" and "Amadeus," as well as creating her own Broadway shows such as "Movin' Out" and "Come Fly Away."

4. She was born in Indiana in 1941 and began studying dance at the age of four. She later studied at Barnard College in New York City and went on to dance with the Paul Taylor Dance Company.

5. Tharp has won numerous awards and honors during her career, including a Tony Award for Best Choreography, a Kennedy Center Honor, and a National Medal of Arts.

6. She has collaborated with many famous musicians and composers, including Frank Sinatra, David Byrne, and Philip Glass.

7. Tharp is known for her rigorous and demanding approach to rehearsal and performance, and for her ability to inspire and challenge her dancers to push beyond their limits.

8. She has written several books about her life and work, including "The Creative Habit," which has become a classic guide for artists of all disciplines.

These are just a few of the many famous contemporary dancers who have made a name for themselves in the world of dance. Their work continues to inspire and influence dancers around the world, and their legacy will live on for generations to come.

To truly appreciate contemporary dance, it's important to understand its history and evolution. From its roots in the early 20th century to its current form, contemporary dance has undergone many changes and has been influenced by various artists and movements. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the history of contemporary dance and how it has become the dynamic and diverse dance style it is today.