FIRST STEPS OF MODERN DANCE IN TURKEY AND PIONEERING WORKS OF GEYVAN MCMILLEN

Abstract

Geyvan McMillen, is one of the pioneers of modern dance in Turkey. McMillen, who has contributed to the development of modern dance in our country as a choreographer, instructor and art director for years, has graduated from Ankara Hacettepe University State Conservatory Ballet Department in 1960. She has danced at the Ankara State Opera and Ballet from 1960 to 1970. Mc Millen has completed her modern dance education on Martha Graham Technique at the London Contemporary Dance School and on Cunningham Technique at the New York Merce Cunningham Dance School during the years 1970-1975. After returning to Turkey in the last months of 1974 she has continued to work at the Ankara State Opera and Ballet. While working for this institution, she has introduced to Turkish dancers the modern dance technique. She has designed her choreographies with a contemporary understanding. Geyvan McMillen's first modern dance classes in the academy and her first independent works in Ankara and Istanbul are of great importance for the development of modern dance art in our country. This paper, has been focused on Geyvan McMillen's modern dance journey which has begun in the 70's and on McMillen?s contributions to the development of modern dance in Turkey.