by Deborah Jowitt
I’m sitting at a table miles from New York City staring at a small, yellow, lined piece of paper and hoping I can decipher my scribbles racing across it. The task? Martialling my memories of a woman I knew, respected, loved, and was amazed by: Ann Hutchinson Guest. She passed away in her sleep on Saturday, April 9, 2022 at the age of 103—almost making it to the anniversary of the November 11th Armistice that ended World War 1. Still dancing. Loving to do so.
In 2018, her husband, dance historian Ivor Guest predeceased her, slipping out of their fifty-six years of married life, and one of my more fleeting memories of the pair is the two of them, bright-eyed, turning in their seats to chat with me, as I sat behind them on a hired bus that was (I think) driving visitors to sites near Copenhagen, where one of three Bournonville Festivals was taking place. At Ann’s 103rd birthday, three parties were held in her honor—too many people to fit into one celebration. And she didn’t put the awarded MBE (Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) after her name.
Ann (and, yes, I called her that) should be named the Queen of Dance Notation, for all the work she did and all the help she gave others who were eager to learn Laban’s system. She was at Jacob’s Pillow in the summers (1941-1979). With money that I believe she accumulated when she was dancing in Broadway musicals during the 1950s, she and Ivor bought a cabin on Goose Pond, where she was to spend sixty-seven summers, working at the Pillow and enjoying its programs. To visit her there, you maybe called her from a pay phone at a grocery store on the highway before driving along a narrow winding road in Lee, Massachusetts, parking your car high above a lake, and waiting for Ann to bring the suspended Hill Hiker (whose little compartment could hold perhaps four people) up its ropes to bring you down. I still remember the outhouse behind the cabin that you had to clamber partway back up that hill to reach. At Jacob’s Pillow’s Opening Gala in June of 2019, Murray and I, Jennifer Scanlon, and someone else (Norton Owen, the Pillow’s Director of Preservation or. . .?) sat together at one of the tables in the enormous tent.
But however many awards she received, hoity-toity wasn’t part of Ann Hutchinson Guest’s vocabulary, and how she loved to dance! In March of 2019, wearing one of her many becomingly colored pantsuits, she graced The Horse’s Mouth, Tina Croll and Jamie Cunningham’s version for New York Public Library for the Performing Arts—her steps assured, her rhythm astute. Of course, in her life, she had helpers: personal assistants Kellie and Gerry, the man whom she called gratefully “Chicago Mike” (Mike Boxser), and a multitude of friends. Of course, she occasionally fell and was injured. Of course, she sometimes lacked energy. But the Christmas letters that she sent via e-mail, illustrated with tiny drawings, present her busy life—travelling worldwide, seeing dances, teaching them, notating them, and celebrating simply being alive.
On July 25, 2021, aided by Norton Owen, she performed at Jacob’s Pillow for a horde of fascinated theatergoers. Well prepared she! The pianist knew just the music she needed.
I’ve attached it here:
See it and marvel!
great homage to ann. she certainly deserved it, for the work she did preseving choreograph from many famous ballets and choreographers. thanks for reminding us of her work.
Glad to see your byline here, but so sorry for the reason.
Those pantsuits, yes, but that wonderful skirt printed with multiple notated staves — it was hard to pay attention to what she was saying when you were trying to read her skirt.
Nobody like her — brilliant, generous, loving, with such a passion for dance and education, such a zest for life, such a deep lifelong conviction about the analytical and creative value of the approach to dance literacy represented by Laban’s work. She inspired love and respect — indeed, more like awe as she aged with infinite grace and undiminished astuteness — in all who met her. Ann was a model of how to sustain a rich long life marked by curiosity, creativity, and contributions to the dance field. I am among the many who will miss her gorgeous smile, deep compendium of knowledge, and adventurous spirit.
And this is a lovely eulogy, Deborah — brings her spirit alive — thank you!
What a perfectly beautiful tribute to a truly remarkable person. It was always a special treat to be in her presence, and I’m humbled to have a place in your remembrance. I tip my hat to you for compiling and sharing your memories, and for capturing her spirit so perceptively. Your words enable us to continue thinking of Ann “celebrating simply being alive.”
Lovely Deborah, just lovely. A gift to us all, this tribute to Ann Hutchinson Guest, the lady, the scholar, the dancer, the woman who could be so much fun. Thank you.
Thank you so much for this beautiful tribute! I am reminded, as I watch her move of the most important and difficult things for my Parkinsons dancers – crossing one foot over the other, kicking off from one foot while balancing on the other. I will follow her lead and keep emphasizing those.
Thank you for the wonderful reminder of the stories you have told me about Ann and her adventuresome life and hill cabin. The story and video are particularly timely on the eve of a knee replacement! How inspiring to get through recovery and dance again!
gave me goosebumps to watch her dancing – just wonderful!!!
Beautiful dancing and a beautiful tribute to Ann. The Language of Dance, her invention is still the backbone of Brooklyn Ballet’s Elevate public school dance residencies, impacting thousands of students. Genius,
I had the privilege of meeting this incredible woman at a Teacher Conference years ago. This video just brightened my whole day!
simply wonderful
Deborah you put it all into words.
Ann was so special.
So loved, she will be sorely missed.
Just beautiful, I read this with sad but also happy sad tears in my eyes. Thank you
You’re very welcome, Jane. Thank you for those tears.
Deborah,
Lauren sent me your blog link. I just read your piece about Ann Hutchinson Guest. Your eloquence shines, and your love is obvious. I am not of the dance world at all, yet I am taken by the joy of it all.
The video of her dancing is heartwarming and peaceful at the same time. Thanks for this.