Solomons, Gus

Gus Solomons Jr. is a dancer, choreographer, teacher, and writer.

Gus Solomons Jr. began dance lessons while attending MIT. His first teacher was E. Virginia Williams, the founder of the Boston Ballet Company. He received his degree from MIT, in architecture, in 1961, then moved to New York City and became a soloist in the dance companies of Donald McKayle, Pearl Lang, Martha Graham and, Merce Cunningham. Solomons formed his own troupe, the Solomons Company/Dance in 1972. Since that time he has become a leading figure in postmodern and experimental dance, creating over 100 dances for his own company as well as dances commissioned by professional companies across North America. His choreography has been performed off-Broadway, on television and dual-screen video dance pieces. More recently Solomons created a new trio company with Carmen DeLavallade, Dudley Williams and himself. In Sept. 2000, Solomons won a "Bessie" (New York Dance and Performance Award) for Sustained Achievement in Choreography. In March 2001 he was awarded the first annual Robert A. Muh Award from his alma mater, MIT, as a distinguished artist alumnus. Solomons has contributed to several books on dance and has written for Ballet New and Instep. He currently reviews and writes for Dance Magazine, Chronicle for Higher Education, Village Voice and the New York Times. In addition to teaching, touring, guest-performing and lecturing, Solomons serves frequently as an adjudicator and dance panelist for various state arts councils, artistic advisory boards and foundations, including the National Endowment for the Arts.

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