Lewellyn Farr Christensen was a ballet dancer, choreographer and director for many companies.
12 Facts About Lew Christensen
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Lew Christensen was born in Brigham City, Utah, to a family with roots in dance and music.
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Lew Christensen was raised a Mormon, and this upbringing informed his latter career with of a sense of focusing on propriety.
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Lew Christensen began studying dance with his uncles and music with his father when he was ten.
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Lew Christensen was taught early ballet technique by Stefano Mascagno, an Italian teacher.
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At the onset of World War II, Lew Christensen was drafted into the United States Army.
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Between 1936 and 1941 ballets Lew Christensen choreographed included Pocahontas, Filling Station, Charade, and Pastorela.
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Lew Christensen served as associate director of the San Francisco Ballet in 1949, and was co-director in 1951 with his brother Willam.
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Lew Christensen transformed the San Francisco Ballet to an internationally recognized neoclassical company.
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In 1952, on his brother Willam's departure to establish the ballet program at the University of Utah, Lew Christensen became the director of the company.
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Lew Christensen choreographed over 110 works for the San Francisco Ballet.
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Lew Christensen brought impressive choreography from Balanchine to the company.