Laura Dean (born December 3, 1945 on Staten Island, New York) is a dancer, choreographer and composer.
Dean is the recipient of many awards including the 2008 Samuel H. Scripps American Dance Festival Award for Lifetime Achievement in Dance. She has also received a "Bessie" New York Dance Award for her work with composer Steve Reich. Dean has been awarded two John Simon Guggenheim Fellowships for choreography, the Montgomery Fellowship from Dartmouth College, the Dance Magazine Award, the Smithsonian Institution Certificate of Appreciation, Harvard University's Certificate of Appreciation, New York City Commission of the Status of Women Special Recognition Award, the ABSOLUT Award for Artistic Achievement, the Staten Island Arts Council Award for Outstanding Achievement, the Lester Horton Award for Music for Dance, the Brandeis Creative Arts Award for Extraordinary Artistic Achievement in Dance and an Honorary Doctorate from the City University of New York.
Dean created her first dance company in 1972. Her most recent dance company, Laura Dean Musicians and Dancers, disbanded in 2000.
Dean has created many ballets including works for The Royal Danish Ballet, The New York City Ballet, The Joffrey Ballet and The Ohio Ballet. Dean stopped choreographing and writing music in 2001. As of 2009, Dean is no longer doing restaging/reconstruction projects of her dance and music works. Dean has also stopped the use of her choreography and music in classes, panels, lectures and in anyway whatsoever. Please note: Laura Dean, the choreographer/composer (1945) is not the actress Laura Dean (1963).
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