| Chapter : | Part I: Introduction |
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In many regards Betty can rightly lay claim to being H’Doubler’s successor, in her development and leadership of the important and nationally recognized modern dance program at the University of Utah. Betty is honest and forthright in this interview, recognizing Miss H’Doubler’s exceptional gifts and clearly stating those aspects of her work that might have—perhaps—been more fully developed. At the conclusion of her interview Betty is asked what she thinks students should know about H’Doubler’s legacy: “…of course kinesthesis was her big point and that was long before anyone was talking about kinesthesis.” This aspect of H’Doubler’s teaching is illustrated in Stencil #424, “Concerning the Kinesthetic Approach to Movement Education,” within which H’Doubler presents perhaps the most important component part of her point of view in teaching dance.
Chapter Four, titled “The Latter Years,” is an interview with dance educator and choreographer Joan Woodbury. Joan came to Wisconsin about as green as any young dancer could be. She knew no one. Here, Joan reflects on the experiences she had leading up to her Wisconsin experience, and what she took with her on her long and productive career as artist and educator. Reflecting her early teaching career following her Wisconsin education, Chapter Four concludes with H’Doubler Stencil #413, generated in September of 1951 when Joan was studying with Miss H’Doubler: “Essentials of Knowledge for a Teacher of Dance and Physical Education.”
In Chapter Five “Two Students Remember,” co-author John M. Wilson interviews Betty Toman. Wilson knew H’Doubler as teacher, neighbor, and friend. Betty Toman concluded her studies just before Joan Woodbury did, and her recollections add to our understanding of H’Doubler’s impact on her students. The interview is redacted and related to topics covered. Chapter Five concludes with Stencil #416, “Introduction to Dance,” the script for a lecture demonstration Toman refers to in her interview and which she helped to create under the direction of Margaret H’Doubler and Louise Kloepper.
Chapter Six is titled, “Legacy.” In a roundtable interview conducted with Mary Alice “Buff” Brennan, Julia Brown, Hermine Sauthoff Davidson, Ellen Moore, Anna Nassif, and Elizabeth Roberts, participants