When Kenny Pearl arrived in New York City, determined to succeed as a dancer, he was penniless, friendless and jobless. His memories shine against the backdrop of the turbulent ’60s and ’70s, including Vietnam War protests, the military draft and the rampant crime that once plagued the city. From humble beginnings in the hippie-populated Lower East Side, to performing with the greats of the New York modern dance scene—he danced with the companies of both Martha Graham and Alvin Ailey—Pearl’s life is one of tenacity, hard work and passion. This is the engaging story of the hurdles he faced on his unique journey and the remarkable people he met along the way.

Kenny Pearl began formal training in dance at the age of eighteen in Toronto at the National Ballet School of Canada and with the co-founders of Toronto Dance Theatre. He moved to New York City to train and, subsequently, danced around the world with the companies of Alvin Ailey and Martha Graham. He has taught regularly at schools across North America, including at the Juilliard School of Music, the Martha Graham School and the School of Toronto Dance Theatre. He was Artistic Director of Toronto Dance Theatre from 1983-87 and, since 2002, has held a faculty position at Ryerson University. He wrote Dance/Life, a handbook for emerging artists, in 1990. Kenny lives next to the Scarborough Bluffs in Toronto, where he enjoys gardening, photography and taking long walks.

Editors:

Barbara Laskin

Karen Shenfeld

Susan Turner