Irène Popard Explained

Irène Popard (30 September 1894 – 30 April 1950) was a French choreographer.

Biography

Irène Popard was born on 30 September 1894 in Paris. She completed her studies at the University of Boston.^[1] On her return to Paris, she started studying pure gymnastics, and became a teacher of physical education.^[2]

She was a student of Georges Demenÿ, who was “a pioneer of a more natural form of gymnastics.”^[2] According to Sharma, she took Demenÿ's “basic exercises and designed an outstanding educational and corrective programme for women.”^[3] In 1916 she started 'school of Popard gymnastics' through which she introduced ‘harmonic gymnastics'.^{[4] [5]}

She died on 30 April 1950 in Marcigny.

Notes and References

1. Book: Lionel Haskell, Arnold . 1951. The Ballet Annual: A Record and Year Book of the Ballet, Volume 5. 19 April 2022. London. Adam and Charles Black. 46.
2. Book: Robinson, Jacqueline . 4 July 2013. Modern Dance in France (1920-1970): An Adventure. 19 April 2022. Oxon . Routledge . 84. 978-1-134-39678-8.
3. Book: Sharma, S. R. . 1994. Encyclopaedia of Sports Health and Physical Education. 19 April 2022. New Delhi. Mittal Publications . 364. 978-8-170-99564-7.
4. Book: Ross Dickinson, Edward . 27 July 2017 . Dancing in the Blood: Modern Dance and European Culture on the Eve of the First World War. 19 April 2022. Cambridge . Cambridge University Press . 238. 978-1-107-19622-3.
5. Book: Lynn Stewart, Mary . 2001. For Health and Beauty: Physical Culture for Frenchwomen, 1880s–1930s. 19 April 2022. Baltimore . JHU Press. 162. 978-0-801-86483-4.