La Meri, 1898-1988

Dancer, teacher, and writer, La Meri (1899-1989) was a pioneer in the field of ethnic dance. Born Russell Meriwether Hughes in Louisville, Kentucky, she moved to San Antonio, Texas at the age of twelve. La Meri (who was known by friends as “Dickie”) studied several art forms as a child, before settling on becoming a dancer after meeting Guido Carreras (who later became her husband) in New York City. After a few years working in local movie theaters in San Antonio, she moved to New York and found work in the company of Spanish dancer, Maria Montero, as well as in vaudeville. It was during an engagement in Mexico City that she adopted the name, La Meri and continued her study of Mexican and Spanish dance forms. Establishing a small company, La Meri began touring the world as an ethnic dancer from 1928 through 1930. In 1940, she established the School of Natya with Ruth St. Denis in New York, where she taught East Indian dance. The school was renamed the Ethnologic Dance Center in 1943 and operated until 1956. In 1960, she retired to Cape Cod, Massachusetts but continued to write extensively and began producing an annual summer ethnic dance festival from 1970-1979. In 1984, La Meri moved back to San Antonio and began her second retirement.

From the guide to the La Meri papers, 1912-1992, (The New York Public Library. Jerome Robbins Dance Division.)

Internationally known dance performer and teacher who specialized in ethnic dances. Attended the College of Industrial Arts (Now Texas Woman's University) in 1916. Founded the School of Natya and the School of Ethnologic Dance Center in New York City, ca. 1940s. Born with the name Russell Meriwether Hughes.

From the description of "I remember C.I.A....", [postmark, 1979] (Texas Woman's University Library). WorldCat record id: 85772807

Dancer, teacher, and writer, La Meri (1899-1989) was a pioneer in the field of ethnic dance.

Born Russell Meriwether Hughes in Louisville, Kentucky, she moved to San Antonio,Texas at the age of twelve. La Meri (who was known by friends as "Dickie") studied several art forms as a child, before settling on becoming a dancer after meeting Guido Carreras (who later became her husband) in New York City. After a few years working in local movie theaters in San Antonio, she moved to New York and found work in the company of Spanish dancer, Maria Montero, as well as in vaudeville. It was during an engagement in Mexico City that she adopted the name, La Meri and continued her study of Mexican and Spanish dance forms. Establishing a small company, La Meri began touring the world as an ethnic dancer from 1928 through 1930. In 1940, she established the School of Natya with Ruth St. Denis in New York, where she taught East Indian dance. The school was renamed the Ethnologic Dance Center in 1943 and operated until 1956. In 1960, she retired to Cape Cod, Massachusetts but continued to write extensively and began producing an annual summer ethnic dance festival from 1970-1979. In 1984, La Meri moved back to San Antonio and began her second retirement.

From the description of La Meri papers, 1912-1992. (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 218259478