Years At Denishawn
In a letter dated August 31, 1924, Guy mentions starting Denishawn in October of that year . Her primary teacher was Katherine Edison who taught her technique and dramatic gesture based on the principles of Delsarte. She also took private classes from Paul Mathis and repertory classes from Hazel Krans who taught her dances such as ‘ ‘Temple Bells’ ‘ and ‘ ‘Dancing Girl of Dehli’ ‘. Guy wrote of her earlier experience at Denishawn in a letter to St.Denis: “The future holds much brightness for me—I smile, I learn, I dance and wait—and I’m happy” . During this time, Guy was also taking classes at Hunter College, studying typing and shorthand . She first travelled with the company from September 1927 until May 1928 as St. Denis’ personal assistant .
After three years of training at Denishawn, Guy was still only allowed to perform in-house recitals, her race being the hindering factor . In 1930 she continued as St. Denis’ seamstress and wardrobe assistant. At this time also, Guy, in conjunction with friends, created dances to Negro spirituals that her mother loved . While St . Denis was away on tour Guy was asked to leave the company due to a misunderstanding . They did however reconcile later on in life .
Read more about this topic: Edna Guy
Famous quotes containing the word years:
“After years of vain familiarity, some distant gesture or unconscious behavior, which we remember, speaks to us with more emphasis than the wisest or kindest words. We are sometimes made aware of a kindness long passed, and realize that there have been times when our Friends’ thoughts of us were of so pure and lofty a character that they passed over us like the winds of heaven unnoticed; when they treated us not as what we were, but as what we aspired to be.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)