Kayla Zalk papers, 1962-2001.

Links

• View catalog record
• View PDF finding aid (255.41 KB)

Creator

Zalk, Kayla Kazahn.

Location

Jerome Robbins Dance Division

Extent

• 12 linear feet (30 boxes)

Scope/Contents Note

The Kayla Zalk papers span the years 1962-2001 and includeclippings, correspondence, office files, and teaching files. The collection is important in its documentation of Zalk's career as movement analyst, including her early work with dance notation. Also forming part of the collection are teaching materials, including lecture and research notes. Missing from the collection is informationabout Zalk's personal life.

Biographical/Historical Note

Kayla Zalk (1931-2001) was a noted teacher of movement, choreography, dance, as well as Labanotation and other forms of dance notation, whose career centered around her expertise in movement analysis. Born in the Bronx, New York, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature from the University of Michigan and took graduate courses in dramatic arts at Columbia University. She began studying dance with Doris Humphrey and José Limón, then branched out into general movement studies. In1965, she earned a certificate in the first Effort/Shape Training Program taught by Irmgard Bartenieff at the DanceNotation Bureau, the Precursor of the Laban/Bartenieff Institute of Movement Studies (LIMS). She later served as president of the American Dance Guild. She also founded the Westbury Arts Center in Westbury, New York, which established a curriculum of art, dance, music, and potterytraining for community children and adults. When her daughter was killed in a car accident, Zalk founded the Newton, Massachusetts branch of Compassionate Friends, an organization that helps families who have lost children find a positive resolution of their grief. She was a member of the faculty at Brandeis University, Lesley College, New York University, Purchase College, State University of New York, and the University of California at San Diego. At the time of her death she was on the faculty at The Boston Conservatory.

Controlled Access Terms

• Zalk, Kayla Kazahn.
• Dance notation -- Study and teaching.
• Dance teachers -- United States -- 20th century.
• Labanotation -- Study and teaching.
• Movement notation -- Study and teaching.
• Clippings.
• Correspondence.
• Lecture notes.
• Periodicals.
• Dance teachers

Additional Creator Name

• American Dance Guild.