Loring, Eugene, 1911-1982

Eugene Loring was an American dancer, choreographer, and teacher.

Dancer, choreographer.

Eugene Loring, influential American dancer, choreographer, and teacher, is best known for his 1938 ballet Billy the Kid.

He studied in the 1930s under George Balanchine at the American School of Ballet and performed with Ballet Theatre, American Ballet Company, Fokine Ballet, Ballet Caravan, and Dance Players. Loring's works include Harlequin for president, Yankee clipper, The Tender land, and The Great American goof. He also had a successful career as an actor, dance director, and as a contract choreographer at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in the 1940s. An active and innovative teacher of dance, Loring founded the American School of Dance in Hollywood in 1947, and in 1965 became founding chair of the Dance Department at the University of California, Irvine. He died in New York on August 30, 1982.

Eugene Loring (1911-1982) was an American dancer and choreographer best known for his contributions to American-themed ballets, such as Billy the Kid .

Loring was born LeRoy Kerpestein on August 2, 1911 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He began studying at the School of American Ballet in 1933 before making his professional debut in 1934 with Fokine's company. During his tenure with the Ballet Caravan (1936-1938), Loring began to choreograph various works. In 1941, he formed his own company, Dance Players, and opened the American School of Dance in Los Angeles in 1948. He had a successful dance career as a principal dancer and choreographer of ballets and films. Loring died on August 30, 1982.