Paula Abdul is best known for her hit songs and dancing in the 1990s, and for judging American Idol in the 2000s.
1962-
Alvin Ailey was an American choreographer and activist who founded the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York in 1958.
1931-1989
1916-2006
1950-
1904-1983
1895-1976
Dancer and choreographer Maurice Béjart founded Switzerland's Béjart Ballet Lausanne, known for his 2000 version of The Nutcracker.
1927-2007
1919-2009
Siobhan Davies is a British dancer and choreographer. She founded her Siobhan Davies Dance Company in 1988.
1950-
American dancer and choreographer Agnes DeMille further developed the narrative aspect of dance in her choreography of musical plays and ballets.
1905-1993
Art critic Sergei Diaghilev started the artistic collaboration the Ballet Russes, which toured worldwide and was a forerunner of the Royal Ballet.
1872-1929
Isadora Duncan was a trailblazing dancer and instructor whose emphasis on freer forms of movement was a precursor to modern dance techniques.
1877-1927
1909-2006
1927-1987
American dancer and choreographer Savion Glover is best known for his unique style of tapping dancing, called "hitting."
1973-
Martha Graham is considered by many to be the 20th century's most important dancer and the mother of modern dance.
1894-1991
Judith Jamison, choreographer and dancer, has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the Kennedy Center Honors and the National Medal of Arts.
1943-
1930-1988
1919-2007
1908-1972
1896-1979
Abby Lee Miller, who runs a Pittsburgh dance studio, is known for her tirades and tough training as star of Lifetime TV's reality show Dance Moms.
1966-
Anna Pavlova was a famous Russian prima ballerina and choreographer. The company she founded in 1911 was the first to tour ballet around the world.
1881-1931
1918-1998
1707-1756
Paul Taylor is a renowned modern dance choreographer who helms the Paul Taylor Dance Company. His works include "Aureole," "Esplanade" and "Arden Court."
1930-
Dancer and choreographer Twyla Tharp founded the Twyla Tharp Dance Company. Her work for the American Ballet Theatre combined classical and modern styles.
1941-