Ross, Bertram, 1920-

Bertram Ross was the principal male dancer of the Martha Graham Dance Company from 1957-1973. His later career was as a choreographer, teacher and singer.

Bertram Ross Prensky was born on November 13, 1920 in Brooklyn, New York. He was an accomplished pianist and painter, when he was drafted into the Army. After military service, he moved from the role of budding visual artist to dancer and enrolled at the Graham school. In 1949 he joined the company, and in 1953 first partnered Graham, as Oedipus in Night Journey. In 1966 he was named co-director of the company, first with Robert Cohan (later Director of the London Contemporary Dance Theatre) and with Mary Hinkson, both dancers in the company. Ross and Hinkson have been credited with keeping the company going during Graham's dark period, but both resigned after Graham's return with new director Ronald Protas, a non-dancer. Ross left the company in 1973. The Times, of London described him thusly; "For two decades he was the most vital member of the Graham Company except for its innovative founder and if its work is to continue, this will be in large measure thanks to his contribution." Ross had other activities to keep him busy. While with the Graham Company, he also had a touring company (Bertram Ross Dance Company) for which he choreographed. He made side trips into theater, acting in The Tempest. He taught at Julliard, New York University, and The Mary Anthony Studio. Later, he presented solo dance-theater portraits (Raymond Duncan, Noah). After Graham's death, he re-created several dances for her company. He starred in several roles in Amy Greenfield's 1990 film Antigone. Ross debuted as a singer in 1975 and in 1984 created a successful cabaret act with John Wallowitch, a prolific songwriter, pianist and cabaret performer. The two performed throughout the United States and London. He and Wallowitch are the subjects of This Moment, a 1998 documentary, and a CD called Wallowitch and Ross. Ross suffered for years with Parkinson's syndrome but died from pneumonia on April 23, 2003. John Wallowitch was Ross' life-partner of thirty-six years and died in Aug. 2007.

From the description of Bertram Ross papers, 1910-2006 (Bulk dates 1980-1996) (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 244175067

Bertram Ross Prensky was born on November 13, 1920 in Brooklyn, New York. He was an accomplished pianist and painter, when he was drafted into the Army. “After military service, he moved from the role of budding visual artist to dancer under the spell of Graham and enrolled at the Graham school. In 1949 he joined the company, and in 1953 first partnered her, as Oedipus in Night Journey ”.

In 1966 he was named co-director of the company, first with Robert Cohan (later Director of the London Contemporary Dance Theatre) and with Mary Hinkson, both dancers in the company. Ross and Hinkson have been credited with keeping the company going during Graham’s dark period. But they both resigned after Graham’s return with new director Ronald Protas, a non-dancer. Ross left the company in 1973. The Times, of London described him thusly; “For two decades he was the most vital member of the Graham Company except for its innovative founder and if its work is to continue…this will be in large measure thanks to his contribution”.

Ross had other activities to keep him busy. While with the Graham Company, he also had a touring company (Bertram Ross Dance Company) for which he choreographed. He made side trips into theater, acting in The Tempest. He taught at Juilliard, New York University, and The Mary Anthony Studio. Later, he presented solo dance-theater portraits (Raymond Duncan, Noah). After Graham’s death, he re-created several dances for her company. He starred in several roles in Amy Greenfield’s 1990 film Antigone .

Ross’ debut as a singer was in 1975. In 1984 he created a successful cabaret act with John Wallowitch, a prolific songwriter, pianist and cabaret performer. The two performed throughout the United States and London. He and Wallowitch are the subjects of This Moment, a 1998 documentary, and a CD called Wallowitch and Ross.

Ross suffered for years with Parkinson’s disease but died from pneumonia on April 23, 2003.

John Wallowitch was Ross’ life-partner of thirty-six years and died in Aug. 2007.

From the guide to the Bertram Ross papers, 1910-2006, Bulk dates 1980-1996, (The New York Public Library. Jerome Robbins Dance Division.)