Twyla Tharp Honored

I recently stumbled across news about legendary choreographer Twyla Tharp receiving the Kennedy Center Honors. I’m amazed by her career, which spans more than 45 years, and the discipline she has maintained throughout it. The vivacious 67-year-old choreographer begins each day with an intense routine that includes ballet exercises, curl-ups, crunches and 75 push-ups. She then heads to the studio to work with her company for seven to eight hours a day, six days a week. Her workaholic tendencies have dancers less than half her age struggling to keep up with her.

That work ethic of course, accounts in part for her accomplishments which includes founding her own company and choreographing for many other major companies and stage and film musicals such as Hair, Movin’ Out and Ragtime. Prior to the Kennedy Center Honors, she has received a Tony Award, 19 honorary doctorates and the 2004 National Medal of the Arts.

You can check out Tharp being honored on December 30^th, 2008, on CBS at 9 pm (EST).