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Born
In 1923, Gus was born in St. Louis, MO. -
Enrolled in First Dance Class
When Gus was 5 years old, his family took a trip to New Orleans. There he watched his older cousin perform a tap number in a Vaudeville act. Upon returning home, he told his mother he wanted to start dancing too. -
Married Peg Thoelke
Gus met his wife in college. The two were married in 1950 in St. Louis, MO. She is described as his "right arm." They depended on each other very much. -
Gus Giordano Dance School
Gus and Peg established their dance academy in Evanston, IL. after deciding he did not want the New York lifestyle. -
Dance Company formed
Giordano was asked to perform for the Bolshoi Ballet dancers to show them jazz dance. The company was very impressed, and invited the classes to tour in Russia. Thus, the company was born. -
Anthology of American Jazz Dance
Gus Giordano published the first book on jazz dance in 1975. It had more than 250 pages of detail on his technique. -
Gus Giordano Day!
Governor James Thompson of Illinois declared April 25th "Gus Giordano Day." -
First American Jazz Dance World Congress
Giordano founded the First American Jazz Dance World Congress. The event spanned five days to celebrate the American art of jazz dance. The event is still running, and was even held in Pittsburgh in 2012. -
Died
Gus Giordano passed away from pnuemonia in 2008.
