Arnold Theodore Spohr, CC (December 23, 1923 – April 12, 2010)[1] was a Canadian ballet dancer, choreographer, and artistic director.

Arnold Spohr
Born(1923-12-26)December 26, 1923
DiedApril 12, 2010(2010-04-12) (aged 86)
OccupationFormer Artistic Director of Royal Ballet of Canada
Years active1958–1988
Height6 ft (1.8 m)
Career
Former groupsWinnipeg Ballet
DancesSpohr Gala

Spohr was born in Rhein, Saskatchewan. From 1945 to 1954, he danced with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, and was the artistic director of the company from 1958 to 1988, during which time he brought the company to international fame.

In 1970 he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada and was promoted to Companion in 2003. In 2000, he was awarded the Order of Manitoba. In 1998, Spohr received the Governor General's Performing Arts Award, Canada's highest honour in the performing arts, for his lifetime contribution to dance.[2]

Spohr died on April 12, 2010, of chronic kidney disease in a Winnipeg long-term care centre at the age of 86.[3]

Notes

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  • An Instinct for Success: Arnold Spohr and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet by Michael Crabb

References

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  1. ^ "Obituary". The Globe and Mail. 2010-04-14.
  2. ^ "Arnold Spohr biography". Governor General's Performing Arts Awards Foundation. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  3. ^ Michael Crabb (April 12, 2010). "Spohr helped make Royal Winnipeg Ballet world class". Toronto Star. Retrieved 2010-04-12.
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