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Mary McLarry Bywaters :

Mary McLarry Bywaters, the daughter of Ethel and Denny McLarry, was born in Leonard, Texas in 1904. The McLarry Family moved to Dallas in 1908. Mary attended schools in Oak Cliff and Highland Park, graduating from Oak Cliff High School. She studied music at Ward Belmont College, Tennessee and graduated with a B.A. and B.S. degrees from Southern Methodist University. Mary studied piano under Paul Van Katwijk and was active in Ph Beta Phi and Mu Phi Epsilon organizations while attending SMU. After graduation she continued piano studies at the Paris Conservatory, Paris France under Isador Philip. After returning home Mary taught piano in her home.

In 1930 Mary married Jerry Bywaters. Jerry was born in Paris, Texas in 1906. He was a faculty member at SMU in Art, Director of the Dallas Museum of Art and considered one of the finest Texas and Southwest artist. Jerry died in April 1989.

Mary Bywaters was active with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra when Van Katwijk was conductor. She became active in civic organizations centering on the arts and performing arts. In 1957, recognizing dance was being neglected in Dallas, Mary co-founded the Dallas Civic Ballet. This began a long dedication to dance in Dallas, and worldwide. As president of the Dallas Civic Ballet for its first seven years, Mary helped the new organization develop a firm base and a recognized position in Dallas arts. The Dallas Civic Ballet preformed annually at the State Fair of Texas; its Nutcracker became a Christmas season tradition along with other full scale performances of classic ballets such as Giselle. When the Dallas Civic Ballet became the Dallas Ballet, Mary continued her support through other organizations such as the Dallas Dance Council, Dallas Symphony, and other regional ballet organizations.

The Dance Archives created by Mary became in later years one of her largest contributions to the history of dance. This collection is a result of a lifetime of dedication and love. Mary Bywaters died in October 1988.

Jerry Bywaters Cochran

Jerry Bywaters Cochran, daughter of Jerry and Mary Bywaters is the oldest of two children, born in 1936. Her brother Richard (Dick)Bywaters was born in 1939. Both are currently living in Dallas and continue to support the tradition to the arts begun by their parents. Since a large portion of this collection contains materials concerning Jerry Cochran, a brief sketch of her activities is presented here.

Jerry took dance to the one step her mother never took - the stage. At first studying classical Ballet she soon felt a strong pull towards modern dance and movement as an art, including Mime. Jerry attended Julliard and studied in Paris, France as a Fulbright Scholar. While in Paris she studied Mime under Marcel Marceau, Etienne Decroux, and Preobrajeaksa. Jerry turned her talents towards choreography and teaching with the Dallas Civic Ballet, Dallas Dance Ensemble, and Texas Christian University.

The tradition of dance continues in the Cochran family with Jerry's daughter Mary Cochran. Mary Cochrain is a talented dancer performing with the Paul Taylor Company.

Background: History of Ballet in Dallas

The early ballet in Dallas was directed by Theodore Kosloff with Paul Van Katwijk conducting the Symphony in the 1930's. However, it was not until 1957 with the organization of the Dallas Civic Ballet that Dallas had a continuously performing organization. The various dance studios held separate performances and programs, and continued this practice after 1957. However, the studios supported the Civic Ballet with teachers, choreographers, and performers.

The first major production, Pulinella, was held in 1959, choreographed by Vida Brown. The Dallas Civic Ballet began a regular season of concerts, performances, and major productions which continued until 1976. A controversy over what is and is not a "professional" company developed, splitting the organization. The Dallas Ballet began its "professional" existence at this time and the Dallas Civic Ballet became a supporting society. The Dallas Ballet continued until financial problems caused the end of the performances in Dallas in 1988.

The Dallas Dance Council, a supporting organization, began in 1973. Although a performing Ballet company no longer exist, other dance organizations in Dallas need the support of the performers, teachers, and artist that make up the council. This organization continues to support many dance companies, schools, and studios with ideas, fund raisers, and other needs.

Thought the years other companies such as Dallas Metropolitan Ballet, Dallas Dancers Unlimited, The International Theatre Arts Society (TITAS), Dallas Black Dance Theatre, also preformed and attracted national performers to the Dallas area. Although the Dallas Ballet has ceased to exist, other companies and the Dallas Dance Council continue their role in bringing dance to Dallas.