Robert Tracy

Robert Tracy (1955 – June 7, 2007) was an American dancer, writer, and educator in New York City. He taught dance history as an associate professor at Fordham University and published well-reviewed books. During his life, he was better known for his literary work, even though he was a talented dancer; he dedicated his life to academia and writing books. Tracy became, as a secondary duty, the personal assistant to his live-in partner Rudolf Nureyev. After Nureyev's death, Tracy dedicated his life to AIDS awareness and LGBT legal advocacy. Early life and education Robert Tracy was born in Boston, in 1955, the son of an English teacher. He grew up in a culturally dynamic home in Massachusetts. Tracy initially earned a bachelor's degree in performing arts, classical studies and dance from Skidmore College. Upon graduation, he attended studies in Greek and Latin, as well as classical ballet dance at New York University, where he was encouraged to train as a professional dancer. He was eventually accepted at the George Balanchine's School of American Ballet, and in 1979 he was one of a few students hand picked by Balanchine to perform in Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme, a work the Russian-born choreographer created for Nureyev. Career He became an associate professor at Fordham University, teaching Dance History. In 1983 his first book, Balanchine's Ballerinas: Conversations With the Muses, was published by Simon & Schuster; described by The Wall Street Journal as "this year's great ballet book."