The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-12-20
dance is the shortest. most
sympathetic means by which
TO express ones emotions. for
the most direct expression of

emotion Is through tile body. Why,
then should we not express religious
emotions in the dance just as much as
JOY or passion or any other?' asks
I.ada. Young American girl who Is
astonishing oven a dance mad public by
dancing to sacred music.
Lada may he termed a pioneer In this
practically new field, for she Is the first
of the modern choreographic artists to
dance to sacred music. as she puts II
herself. very seriously, very earnestly.
with no lack of revcrence--nor of
ysrments-with not the slightest appeal
TO the senses, hut rather as an emo
tienal striving upward. quite the highest
form of religion"
II was in Russia. that exotic, imagi-
native scmi-Oriental Russia" to use
the young dancers characterization,
from which she has hut recently re-
turned. that Lada studied and made her
reputation in the sacred dance. Even
there in Russia, where from time i'm
memorial people have been accustomed
to exquisite dancing and have looked
upon It ~ a serious art. Lada has been
honored for her originality and indi-
vduality Of spirit and her exquisite in
corporations Of their favorite compos-
ers
II was in Russia too that 1.adi. the
name 81 mythical Russian character,
was given to- this young American stu
dent of dancing by Gl!ere. who composed
a ballad dance for her. 1t was because.
as he said in the words IT the ballad.
she is all joy-Iada is the spring"
And although her family and intimate
friends know her rs Emily Schupp, still.
somehow. the name Lada seems so pc
culiary hers that they do not hesitate
to call her by il.
She is a slender, graceful Joyous
young person, dark haired, dark eyed,
warm skinned and enthusiastically de-
voted To her arr. When she Is sitting
quietly at home talking with her friends
IN her studio high above the Hudson
she INDUCES in simple rohclike gowns
OF soft silk and n red silk turban which
gives her a fairy tale princess appear
ance.
This art Of I.ada's differs definitely
from the art Of other dancers of to-day.
She does not belong To- the stately.
coldly classic school of Isadors Duncan.
nor can she be classcd among the gyrat-
ing students Of the Russian ballet. Her
idea of dancing is much more romantic:
II il 20 live in grace. movement. poetry
and beauty Not only does she dance
cxquisitely but she Is an accomplished
musician herself she sings and plays
the piano, and il - doubtless due TO her
knowledge Of and love for music that
as the critics say, she never suScrscd.s
but rather heightcns IN. effect II tn,
music 81, intsrprets with accurate I'M
dorstfnding Of the composers moods
and aims. She has also a decided pen
chant Tor painting.
II Is probably b-causs know =
little about other fields of arr" She oN-
plains. that | can recognize in dancing
the color and form of painting. the pos
ing Of sculpture and the rhythm of
music. Dancing should. I think trans
form the music into definite picture
Ineligible 20 the audience"
Ladd studied dancing for some time
In Berlin with "A pupil af Taglioni's.
then in Rome and Naples ard Budapest
and later in Russia, and {; was tn. re
tina the inspiration Of dancing to the
music which she heard in the churches
and monastereS came To her
IF You have never been in Russia, -
Lada curls herself up in a big arm
chair as she launches forth on her
favorite topic, then YOU haye no ID a
how wonderful the Russian summer is
nor how perfectly fascinating it is 10
travel about that country slowly. stay
hS for day or SO in on. village a
week in another and stopping all along
the way TO sketch. Mother and nav
had such good times on our travels"
And Ladas mother is just a. enihus-
asic about music and dancing and travel
a. is her daughter, and in fact she has
done everything with Lada. gone Ia
lessons with her and STUDIED and worked
indefatigably arranging costume, for
various dances 81 could not do any
thing at all without mother" is her
daughters tribute to her.
"Al along tho roads We saw the
most interesting sights" she continued /;
"we were always running across pill
grimages-and such picturesque pill
grims 1t seemed to us that there were
three or four holidays a week in Russia
and the saints day ceremonies were
always fascinating
Il shall never forget the day We drove
out to the old, old monastery Of Troitsa
il was the day Of great pilgrimage
and the pilgrims. ragged and i'll kept,
many of them, were marching around
the monastery outside the walls. Peo-
pie of various classes Joined them and
the priests with their gorgeous robes
added gay touches of color to the scenes
"All carried ikons, fiat pictures OF
Christ and the saints--you know they
have no statues in their churches---they
do not believe in worshippng craven
images. And they all sang so wonder
fully those magnificent Old chorales.
felt that | simply must dance, must
express the feelings that music aroused
in me by motion. by dancing. The bell.
chnned, too, the 'Kol Slaven.' an old. old
hymn
Inside this monastery in the garden