Annabelle Gamson
Encyclopedia
Annabelle Gamson is a renowned American dancer and choreographer. Although she has had a number of successes within the field of ballet
, Gamson is particularly known for her work within the area of modern dance
. As a dancer she drew particular acclaim for her interpretations of the works of Isadora Duncan
, Mary Wigman
, and Eleanor King
. She is the wife of renowned conductor Arnold Gamson
, and their daughter, Rosanna Gamson, is also a celebrated dancer.
to Russian Jewish immigrants Solomon and Rose (née Loonin) Gold, Gamson studied dance with Julia Levien, a pupil of Isadora Duncan, from ages five to twelve. She then attended the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts
and the Professional Children's School
. She also studied uder May O'Donnell
, Helene Platova, and at the Katherine Dunham School. By the age of sixteen was already making a living as a dancer.
In 1949 she made her Broadway debut in the Richard Lewine
's musical revue Make Mine Manhattan at the Broadhurst Theatre
. She returned to Broadway the following year to appear in Morton Gould
's Arms and the Girl at the 46th Street Theatre. Shortly after that production closed, Gamson moved to Paris to study under Etienne Decroux
.
Gamson returned to New York City three years later in 1953, at which time she began to appear regularly with the American Ballet Theatre
where she notably danced the role of the cowgirl in Aaron Copland
and Agnes DeMille's Rodeo. She also worked performed with Anna Sokolow
on Broadway and portrayed Sonya in the original production of Rodgers and Hammerstein
's Pipe Dream
. Gamson also worked as a dancer for several television productions during the 1950s.
On November 21, 1958, Gamson married conductor Arnold Gamson
who was at that time the principal conductor of the American Opera Society
. Arnold left his position at the AOS in 1961 to pursue a conducting career in Europe. The couple moved to Europe and lived and worked their for the next several years. During this time they began to have children. In the mid 1960s, the Gamsons returned to the United States and settled in Westchester County, New York
. Annabelle spent the next several years devoted to raising their children, Rosanna and David.
In the early 1970s, Gamson continued with further studies under Levien, focusing on the work of Isadora Duncan. In 1974 she presented a highly lauded program of Duncan works at the American Theater Laboratory in New York City. Critic Rose Anne Thom wrote of her performance that,
Following this critical success, Gamson drew further acclaim for her performances of the works of German expressionist Mary Wigman
and American choreographer Eleanor King
. She has also presented a number of her own pieces and has spent much of her time teaching younger performers.
Ballet
Ballet is a type of performance dance, that originated in the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th century, and which was further developed in France and Russia as a concert dance form. The early portions preceded the invention of the proscenium stage and were presented in large chambers with...
, Gamson is particularly known for her work within the area of modern dance
Modern dance
Modern dance is a dance form developed in the early 20th century. Although the term Modern dance has also been applied to a category of 20th Century ballroom dances, Modern dance as a term usually refers to 20th century concert dance.-Intro:...
. As a dancer she drew particular acclaim for her interpretations of the works of Isadora Duncan
Isadora Duncan
Isadora Duncan was a dancer, considered by many to be the creator of modern dance. Born in the United States, she lived in Western Europe and the Soviet Union from the age of 22 until her death at age 50. In the United States she was popular only in New York, and only later in her life...
, Mary Wigman
Mary Wigman
Mary Wigman was a German dancer, choreographer, and dance instructor.A pioneer of expressionist dance, her work was hailed for bringing the deepest of existential experiences to the stage...
, and Eleanor King
Eleanor King
Eleanor King was an American modern dancer, choreographer, and educator. She was a member of the original Humphrey-Weidman company, where she was a principal dancer in the pioneering modern dance movement in New York City, then moving on to choreography and founding her own dance company in...
. She is the wife of renowned conductor Arnold Gamson
Arnold Gamson
Arnold U. Gamson is an American conductor who is particularly known for his work within the field of opera. He notably co-founded and served as the Music Director and principal conductor of the American Opera Society from 1950-1960...
, and their daughter, Rosanna Gamson, is also a celebrated dancer.
Biography
Born Annabelle Gold in the BronxThe Bronx
The Bronx is the northernmost of the five boroughs of New York City. It is also known as Bronx County, the last of the 62 counties of New York State to be incorporated...
to Russian Jewish immigrants Solomon and Rose (née Loonin) Gold, Gamson studied dance with Julia Levien, a pupil of Isadora Duncan, from ages five to twelve. She then attended the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts
Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts
Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts is a high school specializing in teaching visual arts and performing arts, located near Lincoln Center and the Juilliard School in the Lincoln Center district of Manhattan, on Amsterdam Avenue...
and the Professional Children's School
Professional Children's School
Professional Children's School is a not for profit, college preparatory school that was founded in New York City in 1914 to provide an education to young people working on the New York stage, in Vaudeville, or "on the road."-History:...
. She also studied uder May O'Donnell
May O'Donnell
May O'Donnell was an American modern dancer and choreographer.Born in Sacramento, California, May O'Donnell studied dance in San Francisco with Estelle Reed and performed in Reed's company before moving to New York City to study with Martha Graham...
, Helene Platova, and at the Katherine Dunham School. By the age of sixteen was already making a living as a dancer.
In 1949 she made her Broadway debut in the Richard Lewine
Richard Lewine
Richard Lewine was an American composer and songwriter on Broadway as well as television producer.-Career:Born in New York City, Lewine attended Columbia College before beginning his career as a composer and songwriter. In 1934, he wrote songs for the Broadway revue Fools Rush In. During World War...
's musical revue Make Mine Manhattan at the Broadhurst Theatre
Broadhurst Theatre
The Broadhurst Theatre is a legitimate Broadway theatre located at 235 West 44th Street in midtown Manhattan.It was designed by architect Herbert J. Krapp, a well-known theatre designer who had been working directly with the Shubert brothers; the Broadhurst opened 27 September 1917...
. She returned to Broadway the following year to appear in Morton Gould
Morton Gould
Morton Gould was an American composer, conductor, arranger, and pianist.Born in Richmond Hill, New York, Gould was recognized early as a child prodigy with abilities in improvisation and composition. His first composition was published at age six...
's Arms and the Girl at the 46th Street Theatre. Shortly after that production closed, Gamson moved to Paris to study under Etienne Decroux
Étienne Decroux
Étienne Decroux studied at Jacques Copeau's Ecole du Vieux-Colombier, where he saw the beginnings of what was to become his life's obsession–Corporeal Mime...
.
Gamson returned to New York City three years later in 1953, at which time she began to appear regularly with the American Ballet Theatre
American Ballet Theatre
American Ballet Theatre , based in New York City, was one of the foremost ballet companies of the 20th century. It continues as a leading dance company in the world today...
where she notably danced the role of the cowgirl in Aaron Copland
Aaron Copland
Aaron Copland was an American composer, composition teacher, writer, and later in his career a conductor of his own and other American music. He was instrumental in forging a distinctly American style of composition, and is often referred to as "the Dean of American Composers"...
and Agnes DeMille's Rodeo. She also worked performed with Anna Sokolow
Anna Sokolow
Anna Sokolow was a Jewish American dancer and choreographer.-Training:...
on Broadway and portrayed Sonya in the original production of Rodgers and Hammerstein
Rodgers and Hammerstein
Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II were a well-known American songwriting duo, usually referred to as Rodgers and Hammerstein. They created a string of popular Broadway musicals in the 1940s and 1950s during what is considered the golden age of the medium...
's Pipe Dream
Pipe Dream (musical)
Pipe Dream is the seventh stage musical by the team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II; it premiered on Broadway on November 30, 1955. The work is based on John Steinbeck's short novel Sweet Thursday—Steinbeck wrote the novel, a sequel to Cannery Row, in the hope of having it adapted into...
. Gamson also worked as a dancer for several television productions during the 1950s.
On November 21, 1958, Gamson married conductor Arnold Gamson
Arnold Gamson
Arnold U. Gamson is an American conductor who is particularly known for his work within the field of opera. He notably co-founded and served as the Music Director and principal conductor of the American Opera Society from 1950-1960...
who was at that time the principal conductor of the American Opera Society
American Opera Society
The American Opera Society was a New York City based musical organization that presented concert and semi-staged performances of operas between 1951 and 1970...
. Arnold left his position at the AOS in 1961 to pursue a conducting career in Europe. The couple moved to Europe and lived and worked their for the next several years. During this time they began to have children. In the mid 1960s, the Gamsons returned to the United States and settled in Westchester County, New York
Westchester County, New York
Westchester County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. Westchester covers an area of and has a population of 949,113 according to the 2010 Census, residing in 45 municipalities...
. Annabelle spent the next several years devoted to raising their children, Rosanna and David.
In the early 1970s, Gamson continued with further studies under Levien, focusing on the work of Isadora Duncan. In 1974 she presented a highly lauded program of Duncan works at the American Theater Laboratory in New York City. Critic Rose Anne Thom wrote of her performance that,
"Through her extraordinary performances, Gamson gave audiences the opportunity to understand and appreciate the craftsmanship of Duncan's choreography, forever doing away with the rumor that Duncan's dances were improvised. To generations of dance lovers, for whom Duncan was a legend previously accessible only through writings and artistic representation, Gamson imbued the dances with a musicality and dynamic spirit that, while never intending to mimic Duncan, gave some sense of what was essential in Duncan's choreography and the apparent spontaneity of her performance."
Following this critical success, Gamson drew further acclaim for her performances of the works of German expressionist Mary Wigman
Mary Wigman
Mary Wigman was a German dancer, choreographer, and dance instructor.A pioneer of expressionist dance, her work was hailed for bringing the deepest of existential experiences to the stage...
and American choreographer Eleanor King
Eleanor King
Eleanor King was an American modern dancer, choreographer, and educator. She was a member of the original Humphrey-Weidman company, where she was a principal dancer in the pioneering modern dance movement in New York City, then moving on to choreography and founding her own dance company in...
. She has also presented a number of her own pieces and has spent much of her time teaching younger performers.