Lucile K. Czarnowski (1895–1985): Pioneer of American Folk Dance Education

 

Lucile Czarnowski UC Berkeley yearbook photo & grave

Plot 71

Lucile Katheryn Czarnowski was a leading figure in 20th-century American dance education, whose work helped preserve and popularize folk dance traditions across California and the nation. Born on February 18, 1895, in Congress, Arizona, to a Polish immigrant father and an American-born mother, she developed a lifelong commitment to movement and cultural expression. 

After earning her undergraduate degree from the University of California in 1923, Czarnowski went on to complete a master’s degree at the University of Wisconsin in 1931, where she wrote a thesis titled Some Genetic Phases of the Dance—an early scholarly contribution to the field. Her education also included study at the influential Wigman School in Dresden, Germany, and the Bennington School of the Dance in Vermont, where modern dance pioneers shaped American choreography. 

From 1923 to 1973, Czarnowski taught physical education at UC Berkeley, where she profoundly influenced generations of students through her dynamic approach to folk and square dance. She was a founder and later president (1945–1946) of the Folk Dance Federation of California, a central organization for promoting dance across the state. Nationally, she served as the dance chair of the American Association for Health, Physical Education, and Recreation. Her work was recognized internationally when she presented a paper on dance education at the 1939 World Congress of Physical Education in Stockholm—an effort that earned her an award from the King of Sweden. 

"Dances of Early California Days," her most famous book

Lucile Czarnowski authored a number of influential texts, which became widely used in classrooms and community dance settings alike. 

Her books include: Folk Dances from Near and Far (1945); Dances of Early California Days (1950); How to Teach Folk and Square Dance (1953, revised 1961, with Jack McKay); Folk Dance Teaching Cues (1963); What is Right with the Dance (1968); and, Destined from the Start for Her Lifework: Elizabeth Burchenal, 1877–1959 (1970)

Among these, Dances of Early California Days stands out for its unique cultural contribution. Published in 1950, the book documents historical dances from California’s Spanish, Mexican, and early American periods. With detailed step-by-step instructions and accompanying music, the volume preserves traditions that might otherwise have been lost. It also reflects her deep research into California history and her commitment to honoring multicultural roots. The book remains an important resource for dance historians and folklorists today. 

Lucile Czarnowski never married, dedicating her life to education, scholarship, and cultural preservation. She died in Greenbrae, California, on October 7, 1985, at the age of 89, leaving behind a legacy that continues to shape dance education and heritage arts across the country.