Taylor, Margaret Fisk

Margaret Palmer, 1908-2004, was born in Oakland, Calif. She is a pioneer in the field of sacred dance in America. A daughter of a Congregational minister, the family moved to Honolulu in 1917, where she learned creative dance in school. She continued to study dance, and earned her B.A. at Oberlin College in 1930, later attending Chicago Theological Seminary, 1931-32. Her first husband, Chester B. Fisk, was a minister and Margaret began to incorporate sacred dance in the church worship services. She continued to expand her dancing, organizing rhythmic choirs and teaching in workshops, festivals, and classes in many denominational and college settings. She interpreted and choreographed dances for worship services well into her 90's. She is the author of several books and articles, was a life-long member of the Sacred Dance Guild, and lived and traveled extensively throughout the United States. In 1957 she married Walter A. Taylor, in 1969 Elwyn B. Chaney, and in 1980 Clarmont Paul Doane. In various publications and at various periods in her life, she has used several combinations of her married names. She has written, "sacred dance is really a sacred trust. We can use energy in our dances to share meaningful awareness of our Creator's power among us, strengthening us, and bringing us resiliency as we grow in mutual caring and daring."

From the description of Margaret Palmer Taylor Sacred Dance Collection, 1930-2004. (Graduate Theological Union). WorldCat record id: 58996497