Bonnie Bird

Bonnie Bird (April 30, 1914 – April 9, 1995). American-born dancer, choreographer, director, and educator who spent the last part of her career in England. Born in Portland, Oregaon, Bonnie Bird was a member of the original Martha Graham Dance Company beginning in 1933. She went on to become Graham’s principal assistant and one of the first recognized teachers of the Graham technique. After this she joined the Cornish School of the Arts in Seattle as its Head of Dance, her most famous student being Merce Cunningham. In 1938 she married the eminent psychologist Ralph Gundlach. She was a founder member and a president of the American Dance Guild, and The Congress on Research in Dance (CORD). In 1982 Bonnie Bird founded Transitions Dance Company, Britain’s foremost professional training company for young dancers. She remained Artistic Director until her death in 1995.