DANIEL LEWIS
EDUCATION
2012 University of Florida, Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts Degree
1962 – 1967 The Juilliard School, full scholarship. Diploma
1958 – 1962 A graduate of the High School of Performing Arts, NYC
DANCE ADMINISTRATOR
1987 – 2011 Founding Dean of Dance New World School of the Arts
Developed an eight-year conservatory curriculum for training dancers in performance, choreography, Ballet Modern and World Dance Techniques. His responsibilities include artistic direction and management, producing concerts, where he has commissioned over 87 world premieres by faculty and guest artists presenting a total of 789 choreographic works in over 280 concerts. The New World School of the Arts awards a High School diploma, Associate in Arts degree, and Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Dancers from this program are now dancing in most of the major ballet and modern dance companies throughout the world. In addition the eight-year choreographic program is developing the next generation of choreographer with a Miami signature. This one of a kind program focuses on the multicultural and multiethnic diversity of Miami and what effects this is having on the dance world. The school was created by the Florida legislature as a Center of Excellence in the performing and visual arts. It is a cooperative venture of the Dade County Public Schools, Miami Dade College and the University of Florida.
TEACHER
1967 – 1987 The Juilliard School
Dance Faculty: Modern Dance (Limón), Repertory, New Choreography, Composition, Dance Production. Assistant to the Director 1984-87
1977 – 86 The London School of Contemporary Dance, London England (The Place)
I taught Limón technique and stage works for the summer program in London for 9 years.
1974‑80 Amherst College
I was a professor while my company was in residence there for 6 years, winter semester; I helped develop their Dance Curriculum. Amherst College, in Massachusetts, is part of the Five College Dance Department that also includes Smith College, University of Massachusetts, Hampshire College, and Mount Holyoke College.
1977- 84 New York University School of Education
As an adjunct professor I taught Limón technique intensively to education students. Prior to José Limón’s death, I became one of a small number of teachers selected by Mr. Limón to carry on and develop his technique. I have lectured and taught master classes in the Limón technique for universities, schools and professional companies throughout the world.
In addition, I have taught around the world at Seminars, Summer Programs, and Touring Residency.
ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE
1986 York University, Toronto
1984, 85 The University of Calgary in Canada, Summers.
1984, 85 National Ballet School of Canada, January.
1982-84 Reed College Summer Residence.
1980, 81 The Escuela de Perfeccionamiento Vida y Movimento in Mexico City.
1976‑83, 85 The London Contemporary Dance School (The Place), England, summers.
1973 University of Wisconsin
1970‑72 The University of California at Los Angeles (winter quarters for 3 years) and Lecture in dance.
DIRECTOR
1988-Present Miami Dance Futures Inc., Program Director, President
In addition to developing and managing NWSA’s dance program, I am committed to the growth of dance awareness in South Florida through Miami Dance Futures, a production company I formed in 1988 to help develop dance in South Florida. I have produced the highly successful Miami Balanchine Conference in 1990 and the Dance History Scholars’ Conference in 1991, The American Dance Guild Conference in 1992, The International Dance Musicians’ Conference in 1993, CORD Conference in 1995, the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th and 8th National High School Dance Festival in 1994, 1996, 1998, 2002, and 2006. The last one in 2006 was the largest high school dance festival held in the Americas. The International Association for Dance Medicine and Science Conference in 2000, The International Conference of Fine Arts Deans in 2000, and the American College Dance Festival 1997 & 2003. Miami Dance Futures also produces and supports local dance companies, including Rosita Segovia’s Ballet Español, Gerri Houlihan and Dancers, and The Isadora Dance Ensemble, Jamaica Awareness plus others. We also produce The Dance Sampler, which is a showcase of local choreographers work, The Florida Series and the Independent Series each year from 1988 to 1999.
1984-87 The Juilliard School, Assistant to the Director, Dance Division. As Assistant to Martha Hill, I was directly involved with the running of the Dance Division and all its components.
1984-88 The Limón Institute, Founding Director.
As Director of The Limón Institute, I was responsible for all the mounting of Limón works, nationally and internationally, on both ballet and modern dance companies as well as schools. I was Program Director and administrator of the Bennington College José Limón SUMMER DANCE PROGRAM in 1985, and directed the Limón Summer Dance Program in New York in 1986, SUNY Purchase in 1987 and at The New World School of the Arts in 1988, 1989. Other responsibilities were THE NEW DANCE SERIES and classes at the Limón Studio.
1972-84 Artistic Director Daniel Lewis Dance.
As Artistic Director and Choreographer of DANIEL LEWIS DANCE, a repertory company in NYC. The company performed and taught throughout the United States, Europe and Scandinavia. I commissioned 37 new works by 15 choreographers, and produced the works of both distinguished artists and emerging choreographers.
1976 American Wind Symphony
Director and administrator of dance for American Wind Symphony bicentennial riverboat, which toured the waterways of America in 1976.
1977-87 Director of Lincoln Center Touring Programs
I was a Dance Specialist for the Lincoln Center Institute 1969‑71, a performer from 1971-76, and then directed three dance touring programs for 10 years for the Lincoln Center Institute.
1972-73 Artistic Director José Limón Dance Company
For 1 year following the death of José Limón. During this time I formed Daniel Lewis Dance, a repertory company.
1966‑72 Assistant To José Limón
Responsible for the running of rehearsals, lecture demonstrations and teaching on tour. Assistant to Mr. Limón when he was choreographing and during his classes, Acting Artistic Director after Mr. Limón death.
1966-72 Director Contemporary Dance System
A collective of dancers from the José Limón Dance Company and the Anna Sokolow Dance Company. Touring and performing classic and new repertory throughout the United States.
WRITER, AUTHOR
2020 Biography Daniel Lewis, A Life in Choreography and the Art of Dance, Publisher McFarland
2006 Article in Dance Teacher Magazine on the Life of José Limón
2005 The Illustrated Dance Technique of José Limón DVD, Produced by Video-D
2000 Remembering Martha Hill (1900 – 1995), Published by Ballet Review
1999 2nd Addition of The Illustrated Dance Technique of José Limón, published by Princeton Book Company
1998 Medical Problems of Performing Artists, two papers published, Sept “Health Care for Dance Students at a Performing Arts Academy”: March “Dancing with a Prosthesis
1995 The Illustrated Dance Technique of José Limón, Published by Consejo Nacional para la Cultura y les Artes, Mexico
1994 Dance in Hispanic Cultures, Harwood Academic Publishers, Issue Editor
1993 The Illustrated Dance Technique of José Limón, Published by Japan UNI Agency Inc, Author
1990 Dance Education in the USA K-12, Paper presented at International Symposion Munchen Published by Tanztendenz. This paper was also published in Tanzund Gymnastik issues 3/90 and 4/90 in Switzerland.
1990 Illustierte Tanztechnik Von José Limón, Published by Florian Noetzel Germany, Author
1986 The Illustrated Dance Technique of José Limón, Video Tape, by Video D
1984 The Illustrated Dance Technique of José Limón, by Harper and Row, Author
I have also presented papers at the annual meetings of the National Dance Education Organization (5 Presentations), National Association of Schools of Dance (12 Presentations), and The Network of Visual and Performing Arts Conferences (10 Presentations), Performing Arts Medicine Association (2 Presentations) and the Florida Dance Education Organization. (3 Presentations) I have lectured on the teaching, choreography and music of José Limón both nationally and internationally, Dance and Technology and Dance History.
DANCER
1962 – 74 José Limón Dance Company
As a member of the José Limón Dance Company for 12 years, I toured Asia, Europe, South America, The U.S.S.R., and throughout the United States, originating my roles in A CHOREOGRAPHIC OFFERING, LEGEND, PSALM, THE WINGED, COMEDY, and THE UNSUNG in their world premieres at The American Dance Festival Connecticut College. I served as Artistic Director of the Limón Dance Company for one year taking the company to Russia after Mr. Limón death. I have danced the major repertory of José Limón and Doris Humphrey. My last performance with the company was in Moscow in 1973, although I continued dancing with Daniel Lewis Dance until 1981. In 1982 I returned to the stage to perform my solo from the UNSUNG at the Joyce Theater in the 10th anniversary performance in honor of José Limón.
1958 – 77 OTHER DANCE COMPANIES
I have performed in the companies of Ruth Currier, Felix Fibich, Stuart Hodes, Sofie Maslow, David Wood, Norman Walker, Matthew Diamond, Charles Weidman, Anna Sokolow, American Dance Theater, The Juilliard Dance Ensemble, Contemporary Dance System, Daniel Lewis Dance, plus others. I danced in the Yiddish Theatre from 1960-64. I danced in the CBS Productions of AND DAVID WEPT, choreography by José Limón, DREAMS, choreography Anna Sokolow, and many LAMP UNTO MY FEET, CAMERA THREE, and PBS, WNET (NYC) programs.
CHOREOGRAPHER
Works and Who Commissioned Them:
2020. NO STRINGS IN THE CLOUDS (Miami Dance Futures)
2019. WOMEN II (Miami Dance Futures)
1988 THE MORNING AFTER THE NIGHT BEFORE (Towson State College)
1987 AIR RAID (SUNY Purchase)
1986 BIBLELAND (The University of Calgary)
1985 MIND OVER MATTER (Bennington College Summer Dance Program)
1985 WOMEN (The Juilliard School)
1984 ATOMIC AMBIENCE (The University of Calgary)
1984 TEXTURED LIGHTING (DLDRC)
1982 TO DORIS AND CHARLES (Portland State)
1982 MOMENTS (The Juilliard School)
1981 OPEN BOOK (DLDRC)
1980 THERE’S NOTHING HERE OF ME BUT ME (Amherst College)
1980 BEETHOVEN DUET Benefit Concert honoring Doris Humphrey and Charles Weidman; using movement motifs from an unfinished work by José Limón
1979 MOSTLY BEETHOVEN (The Juilliard School)
1978 LIFE AND OTHER THINGS (Daniel Lewis Dance Repertory Company)
1976 PROLIFERATION (The Juilliard School)
1976 CABBAGEPATCH (American Wind Symphony)
1974 NO STRINGS (Barnard College)
1974 AND FIRST THEY SLAUGHTERED THE ANGELS (Contemporary Dance System)
1972 IRVING THE TERRIFIC (UCLA)
1972 MY ECHO, MY SHADOW, AND ME (NEA choreographic fellowship)
1970 THE BOKINSKI BROTHERS (Barnard College)
1967 THE MINDING OF THE FLESH IS DEATH (Lincoln Center Student Programs)
1966 MAN MADE (Barnard College)
STAGED AND DIRECTED HIS CHOREOGRAPHY FOR:
Towson State College, Swarthmore College, The José Limón Dance Company, Barnard College, Teachers’ College, The University of Michigan, Hampshire College, The New World School of the Arts, The Juilliard School, Reed College, UCLA, Tsoying Senior High School, San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts, The Governor’s School for the Arts, Mercyhurst University, Daniel Lewis Dance, Contemporary Dance System, New World School of the Arts, as well as companies in South America and England.
OPERAS Choreographed
1985 IL TABARRO American Opera Center at Lincoln Center
1982 MANNON American Opera Center at Lincoln Center
1980 FEATHERTOP American Opera Center at Lincoln Center
1980 LE ROSSIGNOL American Opera Center at Lincoln Center
1978 AIDA Houston Grand Opera
1971 DIDO AND AENEAS Dallas Civic Opera
DANCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Involved in the following productions using Internet 2 to create new celebrative work
in Music and dance in Collaboration with the Digital World Institute at the University of Florida
2006 In Common Space, Executive Producer and Artistic Director
2005 In Common Time, Miami Producer
2005 Hands Across the Ocean, Miami Production Executive and Director
2004 Mask, Miami, Coordinator
2003 Non Divisi, Miami Coordinator
RECONSTRUCTOR AND DIRECTOR
Staged the works of José Limón and Doris Humphrey for such companies as:
2016-2022 Dance Now Miami
2011 COCA in St. Louis
1988-2011 New World School of the Arts, Miami
1988, ’93 Hong Kong Academy of the Performing Arts, Hong Kong
1988 Miami City Ballet, Florida
1967 – 1987 The Juilliard School, New York City
1985, ’86 The National Ballet School, Toronto, Canada
1985 Danskern, Holland
1984, ’86 University of Calgary, Canada
1981 Reed College, Oregon
1980 Danzahoy, Caracas Venezuela
1977 – ’83 The London School of Contemporary Dance (Summers), England
1967 – 1972 The José Limón Dance Company, NYC
1972 The American Dance Festival, Connecticut
1972 Royal Danish Ballet, Denmark
1972 Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, New York City
1971 The University of Utah, Utah
1970 University of California, in Los Angles
1970, ’71, ’73 Royal Swedish Ballet, (winters), Sweden
1969, ’70 American Ballet Theatre, New York City
1969 First Chamber Dance Company, New York City
1969 Batsheva Dance Company, Israel
1969 Repertory Dance Theater, (June) Salt Lake City, Utah
1968 National Ballet of Canada, Toronto Canada
IN ADDITION
As acting artistic director of the José Limón Company in 1973, he edited, staged, and directed A CHOREOGRAPHIC OFFERING for the company’s tour of the USSR. In 1975 I completed the choreography of THE WALDSTEIN SONATA, an unfinished work begun by Mr. Limón just before his death.
PLAYS, MUSICALS AND COMMERCIALS:
2011 Concert for a New Renaissance (Director)
1982 COTTONCALE TV COMMERCIAL, J.P. Stevens (choreographer)
1981 CRISP Intar Production, Off Broadway (choreographer)
1977 NEFERTITI Sherwin M. Goldman Broadway Production (choreographer)
1977 THE TEMPEST Amherst College (choreographer)
AWARDS
2020 He received “A Life for Dance” Lifetime Achievement Award from the XXV International Ballet Festival
2019 He received the Trailblazer award from the downtown Dance Booster Club.
2019 He was Honored by Dance Now Miami at their benefit for bringing the legacy of time and culture to South Florida
2017 Received the Doris Leeper Award by the Florida Alliance for Arts Education
2013 Received an Education Advancement Award from the José Limón Dance Foundation
2012 Received an Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts Degree from the University of Florida.
2011 The Martha Hill Lifetime Achievement Award Presented at the Martha Hill Gala in New York.
2011 Received the Nestor Torres “Miami-Dade County Days Ambassador of the Arts” Award Presented at DADE DAYS IN Tallahassee
2011 Received a proclamation from the floor of the Florida Senate for his work in the arts by Senator by Anitere Flores.
2011 Two awards declaring February 5 Daniel Lewis Day in Miami and in Miami Dade County Presented at A A LIFE IN DANCE, TRIBUTE TO DANIEL LEWIS
2010 Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Dance Educators Organization.
2006 Salutes to Daniel Lewis by the Mayor of Miami, Manuel Diaz.
2002 Honorary Chairman “dance4life”, Life time achievement award
2002 The 2002 Nancy Smith Award, for consistently demonstrating outstanding leadership and excellence in dance in Florida
2001 The 2001 Florida Arts Recognition Awards recognize outstanding initiative, leadership, of excellence in supporting the Arts in Florida
2000 The National High School Dance Festival, for outstanding service in the Development of the festival
1991 and 2000 Florida Dance Association, for outstanding service
1990 The National Society of Arts and Letters, a gold medal for Lifelong Achievement in dance.
1985 Distinguished Professor, Reed College Portland Oregon
1963 Royal Knight of Cambodia, Knighted by Prince Norodom Sihanouk in Phnom Penh
1962 Award in Performance, High School of Performing Arts
1962 Award in Dance Production, High School of Performing Arts
GRANTS RECEIVED FROM:
Doris Duke Foundation and the Surdna Foundation. Talented Students in the Arts Initiative 5 year grant 1.2 million. Grant to create interdisciplinary program $87,000.00.
Surdna Foundation interdisciplinary work at the high school level, number of grants 187,000.00
National Endowment for the Arts, Individual, Company and New World School of the Arts, number of grants 12 from 8,000.00 to 96,000.00 each
New York State Council on the Arts, Company, number of grants 10
Metro Dade Cultural Affairs Counsel, Community Grants 8 for Miami Dance Futures
Metro Dade Cultural Affairs Counsel, Presenter, number of grants 17 from 4,000.00 to 30,000.00
Metro Dade Cultural Affairs Counsel, Visiting Artists 6 at 15,000 to 30,000.00 Each
Canada Council, Visiting Artist, number of grants 4
Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, Presenter, number of grants 8 NWSA for Interdisciplinary work at the high school level, and 4 for, Miami Dance Futures at $25,000.00 each
SERVED ON PANELS AND BOARDS FOR:
2012- Present Arts for Learning Board Member
2012-Present Armour Dance Theatre, formally known as The Thomas Armor Youth Ballet,
2007 – 2011 CAAA Commission on Multidisciplinary and Multimedia in the arts.
2002- Present ACCPAS Accrediting Commission for Community and Pre-collegiate Arts Schools, Member of the Commission
2003 – 2012 CAAA Council of Arts Accrediting Associations, Board Member
2005 –2011 iDMAa, International Digital Media & Arts Association
1997- 2011 NASD National Association of Schools of Dance, Board of Directors, Treasurer, Vice President, Present President
1997 – 99 American College Dance Festival, Board of Directors
1997 North Carolina State Arts Council, Dance Panel
1997 Kentucky State Arts Council, Interdisciplinary and Dance
1988 – ’97 National Society of Arts and Letters, Advisory Board
1987 – ’00 Metro-Dade Cultural Affairs Council. Community Grants, Hanable Cox and Advancements Grants
1993 South Carolina State Arts Council, Interdisciplinary
1988- Present Artistic Director and President of Miami Dance Futures
1987- 2007 Florida Dance Association, President 3 terms, Treasurer and Board Member
1988 – ’93 Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, Dance Panel
1980 – ’85 Fulbright Screening Committee.
1975 – ’15 National Endowment for the Arts, Choreography Fellowships, Mentor Teacher, Panel Member, chair, Sight Visits and Chair, Interdisciplinary Arts Panel.
1975 – 96 Canada Council for the arts, Individual Fellowships, Sight Visits
MEMBERSHIPS
1962 – Present American Guild of Musical Artists
1990 – 1995 American Dance Guild
1990 – 1995 Dance History Scholars
1987 – 2012. National Association of Schools of Dance
1972 -1989 Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers
1968 – 1975 American Federation of Television and Radio Artists
WHO’S WHO
I am listed in Who’s Who in America; I have been asked to join Who’s Who in: Europe, and just about every Who’s Who possible. I have not responded to these as I feel these organizations have no integrity.