Mark Morris (born 1956) was probably the most versatile choreographer of the second half of the 20th century. His musicality was the basis of his work. He used his compositional skills on all types of music. His movement vocabulary was eclectic.

Mark Morris was born in 1956 in Seattle, Washington. He grew up in a family full of music and dance. His father taught him how to read music. His mother introduced him to flamenco (her favorite dance) at age nine, then to Balkan folk dance and ballet. As a child he created dances for musicals. As a teenager dancing in the Koleda Balkan Folkdance Ensemble, he was already determined to do his own work. His father died when he was in high school, strengthening the bond with his mother. After graduation from high school he spent almost a year in Europe, part of it in Spain, where he continued...