Bella Lewitzky(1916-2004)

Dancer, choreographer, educator, caring humanitarian and champion of freedom of expression, Lewitzky was a life-long resident of Southern California. Born while her parents were members of the socialist Llano Del Rio Colony in 1916, Lewitzky became the star of the Lester Horton Dance Group, the first American inter-racial dance company, based in Los Angeles in the 1930's and 40's where she was the primary developer of the Horton technique. Her students included Alvin Ailey and Carmen De Lavallade who went on to create the Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre in New York. In the 1950's Lewitzky was a target for the House un-American Activities Committee where she refused to testify against fellow artists. In 1966 she founded the Lewitzky Dance Company and was appointed Dean of Dance at the California Institute of the Arts. Her company performed and toured internationally for the next thirty years. In 1990, when she crossed out the anti-obscenity clause on the acceptance form of a $72,000 NEA grant she sued NEA-chairman John E. Frohnmayer to have the grant reinstated. She won the suit. Bella Lewitzky died on July 16, 2004. At age 88, her physical health had deteriorated but her vital spirit continued to inspire those around her. Designated one of America's Irreplaceable Dance Treasures by the Dance Heritage Coalition and awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Clinton, Lewitzky's life demonstrates how an artist with vision and tenacity can change the lives of her fellow citizens for the better.