Gerald E. Myers

In Remembrance: Dr. Gerald E. Myers (1923 – 2009)

Gerald E. Myers at the Ark on Duke Campus. Photo by Bruce Feeley (2002) Publications Self, Religion, and Metaphysics (ed.) (1961) Self: An Introduction to Philosophical Psychology (1969) The Spirit of American Philosophy (ed.) (1970) Philosophical Essays on Dance (1979) The Aesthetic and Cultural Significance of Modern Dance (1984) William James: His Life and Thought (1986) Echoes from the Holocaust: Philosophical Reflections on a Dark Time (co-ed.) (1988) The Black Tradition in American Modern Dance (1988) William James: Writings, 1878–1899 (ed.) (1992) African American Genius in Modern Dance (1993) Reflections on the Home Of An Art Form: American Dance Festival 65th Anniversary, 1934-1998 (1998) Modern Dance, Jazz Music and American Culture (2000) Who's Not Afraid of Martha Graham? (2008) “I” (Different from You and Me) (unpublished)

Dr. Gerald E. Myers, affectionately known as “Gerry,” passed away on February 11, 2009 after a courageous two and a half year battle with multiple myeloma. A beloved member of the ADF family, Gerry will be greatly missed.

Gerry accomplished much in his celebrated career, including the honor of being the first long-term Philosopher-In-Residence at any performing arts institution in the United States. “His work in both the world of philosophy and the world of dance was groundbreaking. He brought the verbal and the nonverbal worlds together as only a philosopher could do,” ADF Director Charles Reinhart recalls.

In the early 1970s, Charles Reinhart and the late Stephanie Reinhart, ADF’s Co-Directors, invited Gerry to assist with projects for advancing public appreciation of the aesthetic and cultural significance of modern dance. In addition to directing numerous panel discussions, dance demonstrations, and open dialogues on various dance-related topics, Gerry led many notable projects at the ADF. Such projects included an institute for college and university professors entitled “Interpreting the African-American Experience Through the Performing Arts” (1991), leadership of the ADF’s Looking at Dance series, and his integral role in ADF’s “The Black Tradition in American Modern Dance” projects, which culminated in the national PBS broadcast of ADF’s Emmy award-winning documentary series, Free to Dance.

In addition to these remarkable accomplishments, Gerry also authored or edited numerous books, articles, and lectures in aesthetics, philosophy, and dance among others. A leading authority on William James, Gerry edited William James: Writings, 1878–1899, and authored William James: His Life and Thought (1986), the latter of which was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. In addition, his Echoes from the Holocaust: Philosophical Reflections on a Dark Time (co-ed.) (1988) was the first major attempt by the world of philosophy to deal with the Holocaust. His most recently published book, Who's Not Afraid of Martha Graham? (2008), is a highly selective look at American modern dance that draws substantially upon his four decades of ADF participation and examines modern dance through a philosopher’s eyes.

Tribute to Dr. Gerald E. Myers

photos by Sara D. Davis

Among the regrets of my life is that I didn’t have many hundreds of conversations with Gerry. He had the liveliest mind of almost anyone I’ve ever met. Literally his intellect seemed to sparkle, throwing off insight and bright showers of thoughtful illumination. Matthew Diamond Film/Television Director

The ADF Community gathered together on Saturday, June 27, to celebrate the life of the late Dr. Gerald E. Myers. The ceremony included video and choreographic tributes by Douglas Rosenberg and Gerri Houlihan, as well as a performance by the African American Dance Ensemble. Many with fond memories of Gerry contributed special remarks, including Martha Myers, Charles L. Reinhart, Curt C. Myers, Richard Powell, Peter H. Wood, and Ruth Day. The Tribute was a loving memorial to Gerry’s life and work.

In honor of Gerry, the ADF’s 2009 visual exhibit in the lobby of Reynolds Industries Theater at Duke University highlighted the life and work of this esteemed individual. Photographs from Gerry’s life, images of books he authored, and articles about Gerry’s work adorned the lobby walls.