Yvonne Georgi (29 October 1903 – 25 January 1975) was a German dancer, choreographer and ballet mistress. She was known for her comedic talents and her extraordinary jumping ability. In her roles as a dancer, choreographer, and ballet mistress, she was an influential figure in dance for decades.
Biography
Georgi was born in Leipzig, Germany on 29 October 1903 to a French-Algerian mother and German father. She did not have any formal training in dance until she was seventeen and was "discovered" during a performance at a friend's home. Though she had initially planned to study librarianship, she soon realized She went on to study at the Dalcroze Institute in Hellerau in 1920 and then the Wigman School in Dresden in 1921. Along with Gret Palucca and Hanya Holm, she was one of the best-known students of Mary Wigman and Robert Gergi.
Georgi debuted in Leipzig in 1923, touring as a soloist across Europe and North America.
In 1925, Georgi began her career as a ballet mistress in Gera. While there, she choreographed her first ballets, including Saudades do Brazil to music by Darius Milhaud. These works quickly brought her notability.
From 1926 to 1931, Georgi was the ballet master for Staatsoper Hannover, and was one of the only choreographers to try to combine balletic and modern movement.