1878-1927
Modern Dancer

Innovator of Dance.

Isadora Duncan introduced a new, and what many considered radical, style of movement to the American dance world in the 1900s. In an era when American dance was dominated by the formalities of classical ballet, Duncan broke from strictly choreographed steps into flowing, almost spontaneous moves that shocked Victorian audiences with their open sensuality.

Early Life.

Duncan was born in 1878 and reared in the San Francisco Bay area. Educated by her freethinking mother, Isadora's upbringing was unique for the period. Comprised of classical music and great poets, her education centered on the arts and the potential of radical expression to change society. This emphasis led Isadora and her three siblings to pursue careers in the theater. As a girl, Duncan enjoyed dancing and motion, and rather than restricting her love of movement, Duncan's mother provided her with encouragement and support...