The Foundation

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The Charles Weidman Dance Foundation, Inc. was established in 1968 as the Charles Weidman School of Modern Dance, Inc. It has functioned continuously since then dedicated to keeping alive the heritage of Charles Weidman, one of the giants and pioneers of American modern dance. Initially, the board was charged with maintaining Weidman’s company and school, and fostering his goals of creating and presenting dances, developing dancers, and creating interest in modern dance. After Weidman’s death in 1975, the name of the Foundation was changed to its current name in 1990. While the company and school no longer exist, the mission and goals of the Foundation remain the same – to reconstruct and stage, present, and preserve the work, principles, and legacy of Charles Weidman.

The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit arts organization. While not a membership organization, a board of directors implements the Foundation’s mission and goals. Through the Foundation, Weidman’s work has remained accessible to the public, and in particular, to dance students and dance history scholars. Professional performances, produced or arranged by the Foundation, are helping to achieve this. The teaching of Weidman technique also figures prominently in the Foundation’s mission through courses and workshops. The Foundation places special emphasis on teaching and staging the Weidman repertory and to assist with its preservation.

Board of Directors

 

President: Nadira Hall

Nadira Hall studied modern dance and dance composition with Charles Weidman, Bella Lewitzky, Hanya Holm, Elizabeth Gilbert, and Janet Soares. She has performed with the dance companies of Charles Weidman, Marion Scott, Anne Wilson, Merle Lister, in Testament to Tamiris and Davka Dances. She was associate director of the Balanchine Project in China. Since 1991, she has served on the board of the Charles Weidman Dance Foundation variously as Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

 

 

 

Treasurer: Alexandra Weheda

Alexandra was introduced to Humphrey-Weidman technique while she studied under Carol Mezzacappa and Craig Gabrian at Young Dancers in Repertory. During her time at YDR, she also became acquainted with the technique and works of Duncan, Graham, and Horton, and had the pleasure of performing Weidman’s Brahms Waltzes. Alexandra studied and performed with YDR until she began college in 2006. She holds a B.A. in Economics and English Literature from Hunter College in NYC.

 

 

 

Secretary: Charles Wilson

Charles or “Chuck”  started in modern dance at West Chester State College with Lida Nelson Smith in the late 1960’s.  Charles Weidman taught a master class at his college, after which Weidman invited Chuck to come to NYC to study.  Chuck studied with Weidman from 1968 through 1972.  He performed in the Oratorios, Lynchtown, Brahms Waltzes, The Moth and the Star, the Fables, and The War between Men and Women. Chuck is the Administrator of the Estate of Charles Weidman.

 

 

 

Member: Robert Kosinski

Robert studied Weidman technique with Barbara Doerffer (nee Thomas) in college and later with Charles Weidman after becoming a member of The Charles Weidman Theatre Dance Company.  He performed with the company in the New York metropolitan area and toured nationally with Mr. Weidman and the company from 1971 – 1974 dancing in Mr. Weidman’s classic works including Lynchtown, Traditions, Brahms Waltzes, Christmas Oratorio, Easter Oratorio, Saint Matthew Passion, The Moth and the Star, and the revivals of New Dance and Flickers.  He joined The Charles Weidman Dance Foundation in 1991.

 

 

 

Administrative Consultant: Julia Jurgilewicz 

While earning her BFA at Tisch School of the Arts  NYU, Julia had the pleasure of learning excerpts of Weidman’s Easter Oratorio including as well as the Brahms Waltzes. She had the amazing opportunity to perform these works at the 92nd St Y and Baryshnikov Arts Center. Julia has been working as the Administrative Consultant to the Foundation since 2011.

Past Members

Margaret O’Sullivan

Margaret was a member of the CWDF Board of Directors since 1989 and was involved in the production of our award-winning documentary Charles Weidman: On His Own. She was a member of the last generation of dancers to dance with Charles Weidman in his theater dance company in the 1970’s, performing in the Christmas and Easter Oratorios, Lynchtown, Brahms Waltzes, Opus 51 Opening Dance, Bargain Counter, the Thurber Fables, The War Between the Men and the Women, and others.

Tom McNally

In addition to performing with the Humphrey Weidman Group in the early 1930′s, Tom was an accompanist for Martha Graham, Erick Hawkins, Jose Limon, May O’Donnell, and at the Humphrey- Weidman studio. Tom performed Humphrey’s La Valse at Lewisohn Stadium in Manhattan and also in Pittsburgh. He taught music at LaGuardia Community College and the Brooklyn School of Music, played organ at Lower East Side Trinity Church, sung with with the Collegiate Chorale, and participated in poetry readings.

Meg Buzza 

Meg started interning with the foundation in February 2014 and assisted in running their 2014 Fundraiser.