Elizabeth Auclair

Elizabeth came to dance via athletics. As a swimmer and runner, she felt the power and life force energy that was activated through movement. At 14 she had her first dance classes (jazz and tap!), which then revealed the incredible expressive and communicative qualities that dance offers. While still a teen, she came to NY to study at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and the Martha Graham School. She became a principal dancer with the Martha Graham Dance Company for over 16 years, performing on extensive U.S and overseas tours. She also danced with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, in films, and with many other companies and choreographers. Elizabeth served as Associate Director for Graham II, Rehearsal Director for the Graham Company, 360 Dance, Pearl Lang Dance Theater, and as Director of Expression of Emotion Through the Art of Dance, a school outreach program formed in the wake of the events of 9/11 in NYC, designed to give children access to the expressive possibilities contained within the unique movement language of Martha Graham. Elizabeth has held posts at numerous institutions, including, Kobe College (Japan), Hofstra University, University of the Arts, Taipei National University, and currently at Marymount Manhattan College. She continues to stage the ballets of Martha Graham, teach technique and master classes for professional companies, universities, and dance academies. Martha Graham once noted, “The body says what words cannot.” Elizabeth is grateful for the chance to share in the beautiful process of awakening and development of each dancer, as they tap into their own life force and inner voice through dance.