Irène Popard (30 September 1894 – 30 April 1950) was a French choreographer.

Biography

Irène Popard was born on 30 September 1894 in Paris. She completed her studies at the University of Boston. On her return to Paris, she started studying pure gymnastics, and became a teacher of physical education. She was a student of

Georges Demenÿ Georges Demenÿ (12 June 1850 in Douai – 26 October 1917 in Paris) was a French inventor, chronophotographer, filmmaker, gymnast and physical fitness Physical fitness is a state of health and well-being and, more specifically, the abilit ...

, who was “a pioneer of a more natural form of gymnastics.” According to Sharma, she took Demenÿ's “basic exercises and designed an outstanding educational and corrective programme for women.” In 1916 she started 'school of Popard gymnastics' through which she introduced ‘harmonic gymnastics'. She died on 30 April 1950 in

Marcigny Marcigny () is a commune in the Saône-et-Loire department in the region of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté in eastern France. History Marcigny was the site of the first Cluniac monastery of women, founded in 1056. St Anselm was unsuccessful in a ...

References

1894 births 1950 deaths Choreography French women choreographers French choreographers {{France-dance-bio-stub