Percival Borde

Percival Sebastian Borde (31 December 1922 – 31 August 1979) was a Trinidadian dancer and choreographer. Emigrating to the United States after meeting Pearl Primus, he performed for her dance company and on Broadway before his own dance company debuted in 1958. He established a reputation for promoting African-American dance and drew from his Afro-Caribbean roots as a creator. He was also an associate professor at Binghamton University and involved with several non-profits. Biography Early life and career Borde was born on 31 December 1922, in Port of Spain, located in the then-Colony of Trinidad and Tobago, and raised in Trinidad. After being discovered by dancer Pearl Primus, he moved to the United States at her suggestion. He established a reputation as "as a leading male figure in Afro-dance", and became popular in the African-American media. In 1969, he worked at the Negro Ensemble Company as that season's resident choreographer. Other events he appeared at include the Caribbean Arts Festival and the Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival.

In 1975, Borde obtained a bachelor degree from the NYU School of Arts, where he also studied for a master degree. as well as executive director for the Pearl Primus Dance Language Institute.

Personal life and death Borde was married to Joyce Guppy from 1949 until their divorce, and his next wife was Pearl Primus. During the 1959 Africa tour, Vai Borde and Primus later lived in New Rochelle, New York. and dedicated her Earth performance in March 1981 to him.