Gitelman, Claudia (1938–)

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Gitelman, Claudia (1938–)

American modern dancer and choreographer. Born June 24, 1938, in Iola, Wisconsin.

Trained in modern dance styles of German origin at University of Wisconsin in Madison and later with American modern dancers such as Martha Graham, Louis Horst, and Helen Tamiris; studied under Alwin Nikolais in New York City (1958); performed early on in concert works by Murray Louis; danced in Hanya Holm's Camelot on Broadway; taught at numerous universities and institutions (1960s), until she became official faculty member of Nikolais Dance Theater Lab (1971) where she also served as curriculum director; began presenting her own works (1971) and became recognized as prime dancer from Nikolais school; wrote Dancing with Principle: Hanya Holm in Colorado, 1941–1983 (2001). Works of choreography include The Duet (1971), Players, Players (1972), Addenda (1973), Go Suite (1973), Notenbuchlein (1975), Head (1976), Inside Sam (1977), Sundy Dances (1977), Portraits (1979) and Bag (1980).