Harkarvy, Benjamin

▪ 2003

      American dance teacher, choreographer, and artistic director (b. Dec. 16, 1930, New York, N.Y.—d. March 30, 2002, New York City), had an international reputation for his eclectic approach to dance education and for his leadership of a number of renowned dance companies. At the Juilliard School of Music's dance division, whose faculty he joined in 1990 and headed from 1992, he expanded the already existing emphasis on both ballet and modern technique and created new programs that provided students with increased choreographic and performing opportunities. Harkarvy studied dance in New York City, primarily at the School of American Ballet, and had a brief performing career with the Brooklyn Lyric Opera and in summer stock before embarking on a life of teaching and directing. From 1951 to 1955 he taught at Michel Fokine's school in New York City, and in 1955 he opened his own school. Harkarvy's guidance of dance companies began in 1957 with the Royal Winnipeg (Man.) Ballet, and the following year he was named ballet master of the Dutch National Ballet. Unhappy with problems in the latter company, he and a number of the dancers broke away and formed (1959) Nederlands Dans Theater, which he and Hans van Manen co-directed for a decade and whose image he formed not only by his own choreography but also by the notable modern dancers—including Anna Sokolow, Glen Tetley, and John Butler—he engaged to create works. In 1969 Harkarvy became co-director, with Lawrence Rhodes, of another troubled company, the Harkness Ballet, which was disbanded the following year. Harkarvy returned to the Dutch National Ballet for a year, and from 1973 to 1982 he was affiliated with the Pennsylvania Ballet, serving first as associate director and then as director and guiding it to increased regard and prominence.

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