Acclaimed Sydney dancer and national treasure Eileen Kramer has died just days after her 110th birthday. The artist, dancer, choreographer and author died peacefully on Friday. Ms Kramer was a pioneer in Australian dance across a career that spanned four continents and brought her in touch with some of the 20th century’s greatest artists.
“Eileen was a trailblazer and a true creative spirit,” her management said in a statement. “She will be dearly missed by those who knew her and those inspired by her across the world. “She is the last dancer of the Bodenwieser era, she was the longest living woman in NSW and most likely the longest living dancer internationally.
” She was a founding member of the Bodenwieser Ballet in her 20s, which led to her tour Australia and the world. She spent 60 years working overseas including in Paris, London, New York and India. She met Ella Fitzgerald and learned the twist from Louis Armstrong.
Ms Kramer returned to her native Sydney aged 99 in 2013, saying she “missed the kookaburras and the smell of gum trees”. In 2017, she was named an ambassador for the Arts Health Institute, which described her as a “national treasure”. And even after blowing out the candles on her 100th birthday cake she continued to work, making short films, choreographing and performing on stage.
She wrote several books about her life, including her first memoir Walkabout Dancer in 2008 and Life Keeps Me Dancing, last year..