Loading...
Creator
Zalk, Kayla Kazahn
Call number
(S) *MGZMD 218
Physical description
12 linear feet (30 boxes)
Preferred Citation

Kayla Zalk Papers, (S)*MGZMD 218. Jerome Robbins Dance Division, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.

Repository
Jerome Robbins Dance Division
Access to materials
Request an in-person research appointment.

Kayla Zalk was a renowned teacher of movement, choreography, movement analysis, labanotation and dance. The collection consists of correspondence, teaching and office files and clippings.

Biographical/historical information

Kayla Zalk was born October 21, 1931 in Bronx, New York. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature from the University of Michigan and took graduate courses in dramatic arts at Columbia University. Zalk began studying dance with Doris Humphrey and Jose Limon, then branched out into general movement studies. Zalk’s career centered around her expertise in movement analysis. In 1965, she earned a certificate in the first Effort/Shape Training Program taught by Irmgard Bartenieff at the Dance Notation Bureau, the Precursor of the Laban/Bartenieff Institute of Movement Studies (LIMS).

She served as president of the American Dance Guild and founded the Westbury, Arts Center in Westbury New York which established a community based curriculum of art, pottery, dance and music training for children and adults. When her daughter Mara was killed in a car accident, Zalk founded the Newton, Massachusetts branch of Compassionate Friends, an organization that helps families who have lost children find a positive resolution of their grief.

Zalk was a member of the faculties at New York University, Brandeis University, The State University of New York-Purchase, Lesley College and The University of California at San Diego. At the time of her death she was on the faculty at The Boston Conservatory. Zalk died on November 16, 2001 in Newton, Massachusetts.

Scope and arrangement

The Kayla Zalk Papers span the years 1962-2001 and include correspondence, office files, teaching files and clippings. The collection is important in its documentation of Zalk’s career as movement analyst, including early work with dance notation. Material she used in teaching; lecture and research notes, and handouts as well as curriculum used in teaching workshops, are also part of the collection. Missing from the collection is information about Zalk’s personal life.

The Kayla Zalk papers are arranged in three series:

  • Series I: Correspondence
    1967 - 2000
    The majority of the correspondence in this series is in regards to Zalk’s teaching career and workshop materials. Also included is correspondence during the time she was President of the American Dance Guild. There is a limited amount personal corresponde
  • Series II: Teaching and Office Files
    1951 - 2000
    This series contains material related to Zalk’s career as educator and includes items from courses taught at several colleges and universities including Lesley College The Boston Conservancy and Brandeis University. Included also are class schedules cours
  • Series III: Clippings, Periodicals
    This series contains clippings and periodicals that encompass various topics including dance movement sports fitness health and education. The periodicals vary in scope also

Administrative information

Source of acquisition

The Kayla Zalk Papers were donated to the Jerome Robbins Dance Division in 2002 by Jason Zalk.

Processing information

Processed by Leslie Reyman; Machine-readable finding aid created by Leslie Reyman.

Using the collection

Location

Jerome Robbins Dance Division
New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center
40 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023-7498
Third Floor

Conditions Governing Use

For permission to publish, contact the Curator, Jerome Robbins Dance Division.