Lawrence Gradus | The Canadian Encyclopedia

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Lawrence Gradus

Lawrence Gradus, choreographer (born 30 October 1936 in the Bronx, New York; died 7 January 2014 in Ottawa, ON).

Lawrence Gradus, choreographer (born 30 October 1936 in the Bronx, New York; died 7 January 2014 in Ottawa, ON). Trained in New York City, he first performed with the American Ballet Theatre in 1951, rising from corps member to soloist. He joined Les Grands Ballets Canadiens in 1968 and cofounded with Ludmilla Chiriaeff Les Compagnons de la danse, an educational touring group. Gradus formed his own company, Entre-six (1974), and the following year received the Jean A. Chalmers Choreographic Award. In 1980, Gradus moved to Ottawa to become founding artistic director of Theatre Ballet of Canada. He resigned in 1989 and has since worked as a ballet master, teacher and occasional choreographer.