Identity elements
Name and location of repository
Level of description
Collection
Title
Burdsall Family Papers
Date(s)
- circa 1930s-1970s (Creation)
Extent
2 Boxes
Name of creator
Biographical history
Lorna Burdsall was an American-born dancer, choreographer and professor of dance who spent the majority of her professional career in Cuba after marrying Cuban revolutionary and politician, Manuel Piñeiro. The couple moved to Cuba in 1955 and Burdsall began her collaboration with Cuban dance companies, including the Cuban National Ballet. She then co-founded the Dance Department of the Teatro Nacional de Cuba, which preceded the Danza Contemporánea de Cuba, which Burdsall collaborated with for more than 20 years. Burdsall is most known for founding the avante garde dance troupe, Así Somos (The Way We Are), which pioneered the modern dance movement in Cuba. In 2008, Burdsall was awareded the Cuban National Dance Prize for her contributions to the artform in Cuba. Lorna Burdsall died in Havana, Cuba in 2010.
Content and structure elements
Scope and content
The Burdsall Family papers contains correspondence between members of the Burdsall family of Connecticut and, later, Lexington, Kentucky. Of note, the collection contains correspondence between American-born dancer Lorna Burdsall to family and friends in the United States while she was living and dancing in Cuba.
This collection is divided into two series. Series 1 contains letters to and from Lorna Burdsall while she was living and working in Cuba. Series 2 contains letters to and from various members of the Burdsall family as well as friends of the Burdsall family.
System of arrangement
This collection is arranged into two series. Series 1: Lorna Burdsall correspondence. Series 2: Burdsall family correspondence.
Conditions of access and use elements
Conditions governing access
This collection is open for research.
Physical access
Technical access
Conditions governing reproduction
Requests to publish or display materials from this collection require written permission from the rights owner. Please, contact chc@miami.edu for more information.
Preferred citation: Burdsall Family Papers, Cuban Heritage Collection, University of Miami Libraries, Coral Gables, Florida.
Languages of the material
- English
Scripts of the material
Language and script notes
Finding aids
Generated finding aid
Acquisition and appraisal elements
Custodial history
Immediate source of acquisition
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information
Accruals
Related materials elements
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related archival materials
Related descriptions
Notes element
Specialized notes
Alternative identifier(s)
Description control element
Rules or conventions
Sources used
Archivist's note
Processed by Natalie Baur and Vivian Arenas, May 2013. Updated by Rebeca Gonzalez, May 2021.
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
- Burdsall, Lorna (Subject)
- Burdsall family (Subject)