Biracree, Thelma (1904–1997)

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Biracree, Thelma (1904–1997)

American ballet dancer. Name variations: Thelma Biracree Schnepel. Born Feb 4, 1904, in Buffalo, NY; died May 12, 1997, in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Studied with Martha Graham, among others, and at Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY; became a member of Graham's 1st performance group and danced in premieres of Graham works, including Dance Languide (1926); studied with Theodore Kosloff and Mary Wigman on West Coast and Europe for many years; served as director of the ballet program at Eastman School in Rochester; collaborated with Howard Hanson and Walter Piston, among others, on development of new American scores.

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