Ruth St. Denis

Date of Birth: January 20, 1879

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Date of Death: July 21, 1968

Biography

Ruth St. Denis, born Ruth Dennis, was a pioneering American modern dance innovator whose influence extended across the globe. Born on January 20, 1879, in Newark, New Jersey, she began her dance career in vaudeville and musical comedy shows before evolving into a seminal figure in modern dance. Inspired by Eastern culture, particularly Indian and Egyptian aesthetics, she created a unique dance style that integrated spirituality and mysticism. St. Denis co-founded the Denishawn School of Dancing and Related Arts with her husband, Ted Shawn, in 1915. This institution became a cradle for many future dance legends, including Martha Graham and Doris Humphrey. Her choreographic works like “Radha” and “Incense” showcased her talent for blending traditional dance forms with contemporary movements, thus creating a new dance vocabulary. Throughout her career, St. Denis was committed to exploring dance as a medium for spiritual expression and cultural exchange. She continued to perform and teach well into her later years, leaving behind a rich legacy that continues to influence dancers and choreographers today.

5 Interesting Facts about Ruth St. Denis

1. Ruth St. Denis was one of the first American dancers to incorporate elements of Asian dance into her performances.

2. She and her husband, Ted Shawn, were instrumental in establishing modern dance as a respected art form in the United States through their Denishawn School.

3. One of her most famous solos, “Radha,” was inspired by Hindu mythology and was a groundbreaking work in bridging Eastern and Western dance traditions.

4. St. Denis was a pioneer in using music visualizations, where the dance closely follows the structure and rhythm of the music.

5. She received numerous accolades throughout her career, including a special Tony Award in 1957 for her contributions to the world of dance.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Ruth St. Denis

1. “I see dance being used as communication between body and soul, to express what it too deep to find for words.”

2. “The real meaning of enlightenment is to gaze with undimmed eyes on all darkness.”

3. “We have the capacity to receive messages from the stars and the songs of the night winds.”

4. “Our bodies are at once the receiving, transmitting, and broadcasting stations of life itself.”

5. “Dance is the hidden language of the soul.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of her career, Ruth St. Denis’ net worth was estimated to be around $1 million, a significant sum for a dancer in the early 20th century.

Children

Ruth St. Denis did not have any biological children. However, she considered her students at the Denishawn School and her numerous protégés as her “children” in the dance world.