Twyla Tharp

Twyla Tharp (b. July 1, 1941) is an internationally acclaimed choreographer, director, and author celebrated for her bold fusion of ballet, modern dance, jazz, and popular culture. Born in Portland, Indiana and raised in Rialto, California, she studied piano, violin, and dance before attending Barnard College, where she earned a degree in art history. At the same time, she trained at the American Ballet Theatre School and studied with modern dance pioneers, laying the foundation for her eclectic and innovative style.

In 1965, Tharp formed her own company, Twyla Tharp Dance, quickly earning recognition for her fresh, witty, and athletic approach to movement. Early works such as Tank Dive (1965) and The Fugue (1970) revealed her unique ability to blend strict structural forms with spontaneity, while incorporating everyday gestures into dance. By the 1970s, she was collaborating with major ballet companies and redefining what contemporary choreography could look like.

Her mainstream breakthrough came in 1973 with Deuce Coupe, a groundbreaking collaboration with the Joffrey Ballet that mixed classical ballet with the music of The Beach Boys. This work propelled her into the spotlight and led to commissions from leading companies around the world. In the decades that followed, she created signature works such as Push Comes to Shove (1976), Nine Sinatra Songs (1982), and In the Upper Room (1986), all of which remain staples in the dance repertory.

Tharp also expanded her artistry into Broadway and Hollywood. She choreographed films including Hair (1979), Amadeus (1984), Ragtime (1981), and White Nights (1985). On Broadway, she reached new heights with Movin’ Out (2002), her collaboration with Billy Joel, which told a story entirely through dance and Joel’s music. The production won her the Tony Award for Best Choreography and introduced her work to a new generation of theatergoers.

Over the course of her career, Tharp has created more than 160 works and received numerous accolades, including two Emmy Awards, a Tony Award, the National Medal of Arts, and the Kennedy Center Honors. Her influence continues to shape the worlds of ballet, modern dance, and musical theatre, and her innovative spirit has made her one of the most important choreographers of the 20th and 21st centuries.