Adolph
Bolm

My motivation for creating this website began the first day I met Rosalind deMille, when she and Olaf Bolm, Adolph Bolm's son, began sorting through their boxes of papers and photos. I was there to help sort. The boxes were left by Rosalind's and Olaf's mothers who had intended to inspire a book about Adolph Bolm. This book has yet to be written.

Olaf sums up my experience that evening when he says, "I looked up and saw Rosalind looking at one piece of paper, with tears in her eyes. I looked over at Marilyn and saw her looking at another piece of paper also full of tears."

I remember at that moment I was reading an article written by Adolph Bolm about Anna Pavlova following Pavlova's death.

Rosalind had been re-reading pages that reminded her of the man she'd loved as a neighbor, dance teacher, and professional inspiration all of her life, and had just come across a picture of Adolph's wife, Beatrice (or Beate), when she was young. Rosalind told me later, "Mrs. Bolm was so beautiful". Adolph and Beate Bolm were neighbors of Rosalind's family as she was growing up, and the Bolms often included Rosalind in their family activities.

Whatever gentle force touched me that night, it has been a constant companion ever since, drawing me onward with a desire to understand the integrity and heart of this man so many in the dance world have admired. My life has been transformed ever since.

I invite you to explore here and find out what learning more about Adolph Bolm might mean to you.