WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Vt. Dancers Mourn Merce Cunningham

Vt. Dancers Mourn Merce Cunningham

Burlington, Vermont - July 27, 2009

Some members of Vermont's arts community are remembering an internationally-famous modern dance choreographer who has died.

Merce Cunningham is credited with reinventing dance in this country, elevating it as an art form, especially in the 1950s, 60s and 70s. He traveled to Vermont several times for performances and long-term workshops. His techniques are regularly taught at schools including Bennington College and Middlebury College. Cunningham stayed active in dance until his death Sunday night at age 90.

Penny Campbell, a member of the Middlebury College dance faculty, says, "It was like the man was ageless! He just was still this engaged, present artist who was in love with making dance material."

Merce Cunningham worked to separate dancers' movement from music, so the two didn't necessarily need to match up. He collaborated with other greats in the dance world including Martha Graham and Mikhail Baryshnikov.

Jack Thurston - WCAX News