-Born April 16, 1919
- Died July 26, 2009
-Forefront of American avant garde for more than 50 years.
-One of Americas most widely known dancers and choreographers.
-Born in Centralia, Washington in 1919.
-He was the 2nd of three sons in his family.
-First training in dance was at the Cornish College of Arts in Seattle. Where he attended from age 9 to 20.
-His first performed solo was in New York April of 1944 with composer John Cage.
-John Cage was Cunningham's life partner and frequent collaborator until Cage's death in 1992.
-The summer of 1953 is when the Merce Cunningham Dance Company developed so Cunningham could explore his ideas on dance and the performing arts.
