Glen Tetley was one of the most influential American choreographers of the twentieth century, whose singular vision bridged the worlds of contemporary and classical dance across a career spanning five decades.
Born in 1926, Tetley trained with some of the most formidable figures in dance history. He studied contemporary technique in New York City with Hanya Holm and Martha Graham, while simultaneously grounding himself in classical ballet under Margaret Craske and Antony Tudor, and at the School of American Ballet. This dual training became the cornerstone of his choreographic identity — works that defied easy categorization and expanded what ballet could express.
Before turning to choreography, Tetley performed with the companies of Hanya Holm, Martha Graham, and José Limón, was a founding member of the Joffrey Ballet, and rose to the rank of principal soloist with American Ballet Theater. From 1961 to 1969, he directed his own company, and later served as co-director of Netherlands Dance Theater before succeeding John Cranko as Director of Stuttgart Ballet. From 1987 to 1989, he was Artistic Associate of The National Ballet of Canada.
Over the course of his career, Tetley created more than 60 works for leading companies, including American Ballet Theater, The Australian Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet, The Royal Ballet, and the Norwegian National Ballet. His early works for Netherlands Dance Theater and Ballet Rambert proved particularly transformative, shaping the artistic identities of both companies.
Among his many honors, Tetley received the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Award and, in 1997, was recognized with the Knight of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit. He died in 2007.