Vytautas Beliajus
Vytautas Beliajus was born in Lithuania on February 26th, 1908 and is the Dancer. At the age of 86, Vytautas Beliajus biography, profession, age, height, weight, eye color, hair color, build, measurements, education, career, dating/affair, family, news updates, and networth are available.
At 86 years old, Vytautas Beliajus physical status not available right now. We will update Vytautas Beliajus's height, weight, eye color, hair color, build, and measurements.
Vytautas Finadar "Vyts" Beliajus (born 26 February 1908, Pakumprys, Pakumprys, – died on September 20, 1994) was a dancer and choreographer, and he is considered the father of international folk dancing in the United States.
He was trained in Lithuanian dance but he also taught several other forms of dance.
He wrote numerous books on dance and ethnicity, as well as starting the folklore journal Viltis.
He was born in Pakumprys, Lithuania, and learned to dance Russian and German dances at a young age.
War prompted him to leave his hometown until German troops arrived back.
He and his grandmother immigrated to the United States when he was 14 years old, and they settled in Chicago.
Leonas and Julius was his older brother, and Gyte Jekentes was his sister.
He worked at an embroidery shop, a fur ship, and a mail order center for a time. After reading Jules Verne's book "Trip Around the World in 80 Days," he became fascinated in Asia and the Middle East and learned their dances from local Hindu and Arab people.
He performed at an anniversary concert for Lithuanian newspaper "Naujienos" with his partner, Irene Juozaitus, in 1928, presenting Asian and Lithuanian dances.
He opened a dance studio in Chicago in 1929.
He also choreographs for Lithuanian groups and choirs.
In 1933, Vyts was selected to present a Lithuanian exhibit at the World's Fair in Chicago.
As a member of the Chicago Park District Recreational Activities Council, he was also selected to teach folk dancing. In 1937, Vyts was hired to teach folk dancing as part of the International House of Commons in Chicago. And then opened "Folk Lore" a newsletter for the Park District in 1939, and Vyts opened "Folk Dancer's Nook" for the first time. In 1943, the Vyts migrated to Fairhope, Alabama, where they introduced international folk dancing to the School of Organic Education, as well as an international folk dance festival.
Soon, disaster struck, and Vyts contracted tuberculosis, causing him to lose his voice.
In 1945, he returned to Chicago and taught at the International House. In 1949, Vyts was first invited to teach in Stockton.
He worked for a few years before contracting tuberculosis for the second time, and after a hospital stay, he moved to San Diego to recover. He migrated to Denver in 1959, and it was discovered that he had a tumor in his right lung.
Parts of his lung had to be removed.
He founded the National Folk Organization in 1986 with Mary Bee Jensen, George Frandsen, and L. DeWayne Young for their contributions to dance education.