Glen Tetley was born on February 3, 1926, in Cleveland, Ohio. Initially trained in medicine, he decided to become a dancer after seeing Romeo and Juliet by Antony Tudor at the American Ballet Theatre. He then enrolled at New York University, earning a degree in science in 1948, while simultaneously training in dance with Hanya Holm, Margaret Craske, and Antony Tudor, bridging the worlds of ballet and modern dance.
Tetley had a prolific career as a dancer, performing with the Martha Graham Dance Company, the Joffrey Ballet, and the American Ballet Theatre, while also appearing in Broadway productions and television works. In 1962, he turned to choreography, presenting his first evening of works in New York, including Pierrot Lunaire, which became his signature piece. By blending ballet and modern dance, he developed a bold and innovative aesthetic. He later moved to Europe, working with Nederlands Dans Theater, where he briefly served as artistic director. He created several major works, including Voluntaries (1973) for the Stuttgart Ballet following John Cranko's passing. He led the company from 1974 to 1976, leaving a lasting impact on its repertoire.
His collaborations extended to The Royal Ballet at Covent Garden (Field Figures, Dances of Albion), Ballet Rambert (The Tempest), and The Australian Ballet (Orpheus). His inspirations ranged from ancient art (Ziggurat) to contemporary music (Daphnis et Chloé, The Rite of Spring).
Tetley received numerous honors, including the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Award and the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit. He passed away in Florida in 2007 at the age of 80. His legacy endures through his works, which continue to be performed worldwide.
