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What's in a name?

Honouring the faculty for whom our studios were named.

By Jeanette Reyes

Martha Graham and Gweneth Lloyd

Namesake of the former 3rd and 2nd floor studios at 44 Gerrard St. East.

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Martha Graham is often regarded as the mother of modern 20th-century concert dance and has been described as the "Picasso of Dance” in that her influence on modern dance can be considered equivalent to what Pablo Picasso was to modern visual arts. Graham created a vast repertoire of choreographic works and developed her own dance technique — the Graham Technique — which is still taught worldwide (including at the School of Performance). Learn more about Martha Graham here. (external link) 

a group of dancers in front of a mountain

Gweneth Lloyd is legendary for being an early pioneer in ballet and dance. She was a key contributor to creating the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the ballet program at the Banff School of Fine Arts, and The National Ballet of Canada. Learn more about Gweneth Lloyd here. (external link) 

*The Standing Strong (Mash Koh Wee Kah Pooh Win) Task Force has submitted its final report with recommendation to develop principles to guide commemoration at the university and to respond to the history and legacy of the university's namesake. Included in the list of 22 recommendations agreed to by the university's administration, is the call to change the university's name.