Simpson-Serven, Ida (c. 1850s–c. 1896)

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Simpson-Serven, Ida (c. 1850s–c. 1896)

American dance teacher. Name variations: Ida Serven. Born c. 1850s; died c. 1896, in Chicago, IL.

Worked with Steele MacKaye (an acclaimed student of François Delsarte), teaching Delsarte theory and elocution to his New York City theater company; moved to Denver, CO, possibly due to family sickness; served on faculty of O. E. Howell's Conservatory of Music in Denver, taught at University of Denver, and later became principal of Denver Conservatory; taught Delsarte theories at Denver Chautauqua, where she worked with children, adults, professionals, and more; moved to Chicago, IL (1893), where she taught at Hart Conway School of Dramatic Arts; said to be of great importance for development of Delsarte theories in the West, but rarely receives credit.

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Simpson-Serven, Ida (c. 1850s–c. 1896)

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