Tiller Girls

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The Tiller Girls were among the most popular dance troupes of the 1900s, first formed by John Tiller in Manchester, England, in 1890. Whilst on visits to the theatre, Tiller had noticed the overall effect of a chorus of dancers was often spoiled by lack of discipline. Tiller found that by linking arms the dancers could dance as one; he is credited with inventing precision dance. Possibly most famous for their high-kicking routines, the Tiller Girls were highly trained and precise. (Wikipedia, via)

Tiller Girls 1891 Oldest

Tiller girls Berlin 1920s

Billy Merson & The Tiller Girls in Comets

Tillers 1937 Blackpool

Vladimir Tolman: "Swallows" 1930s

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dancer

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Monday, August 22, 2011

Ruth St. Denis - a modern dance pioneer

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dancer

Ruth St. Denis (January 20, 1879 – July 21, 1968) was an early modern dance pioneer. She was born in 1879 on a New Jersey farm. The daughter of a strong-willed and highly educated woman ( Ruth Emma Dennis was a physician by training), St. Denis was encouraged to study dance from an early age. Her early training included Delsarte technique, ballet lessons with the Italian ballerina Maria Bonfante, social dance forms and skirt dancing.