Torrance Journal for Applied Creativity

Franz Liszt. Pianist, composer, and
teacher. An extraordinary performer
idolized by fans and prolific composer
of dramatic piano pieces, he also
invented and conducted symphonic
poems.
Itzhak Perlman. Violinist, conductor,
and teacher. Perlman was stricken
with polio at a young age, but this did
not deter his growth and achievement
as a musician. He and his wife have
both done significant work in educating
talented youth.
Arthur Rubinstein. Pianist. He was
one of the greatest pianists of the
20th century, an outstanding interpreter
of Chopin’s music.
André Watts. Pianist. He became an
expert on 19th century music with
particular emphasis on Franz Liszt’s
works, and had a showmanship and
technical proficiency similar to Liszt.
Watts was also a champion of Beethoven’s
and Chopin’s piano music.
Cognitive Theorists
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. Originated
Flow Theory, Claremont Graduate
University
John Dewey. United cognitive learning
processes with human activity
Howard Gardner. Designed the theory
of multiple intelligences, Harvard
University
Jean Piaget. Originated the theory
of cognitive development – genetic
epistemology
Robert Sternberg. Designed the
triarchic model of intelligence, Cornell
University
Computer Innovators
Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, Founders
of Apple Computer
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Alan Turing. Designed basic concepts
of computer processing and computer
science
Dancers and Choreographers
Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Actors
and choreographers, famous for
their Hollywood musicals
George Balanchine. Choreographer
and Co-founder of School of American
Ballet
Agnes de Mille. Choreographer for
such famous works as Rodeo (Aaron
Copland) and Oklahoma! (Rodgers
and Hammerstein), and many other
Broadway musicals
Martha Graham. Developer of modern
dance who performed for over 70
years and greatly influenced dance in
America and other countries
Judith Jamison. African American
dancer who is Director and Choreographer
of Alvin Ailey American Dance
Theater
Gene Kelly. Actor, singer, film director,
producer, and choreographer, noted
for his energetic dance performances
in Hollywood movies
Film Producers
Ken Burns. Concentrates on historical
subjects such as the American Civil
War and baseball
Walt Disney. Produced outstanding
film documentaries and feature movies
for children
James Burke. Developer of the “Connections”
concept.
Humorists and Comedians
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello. Made
great movie comedies related to
current and historical events (e.g.,
Abbott and Costello Meet Captain
Kidd, 1952).
Lucille Ball. Started the original television
comedy series, I Love Lucy, and
organized one of the most successful
TV production companies, Desilu
Productions.
Jack Benny. Master of radio and TV
comedies
Milton Berle. Pioneered television
comedy with the Texaco Star Theater
(1948–55) and known for his wild
skits, high energy and extraordinary
ad-libs.
Sid Caesar. Most creative TV comic of
our times; his Show of Shows (1950-
54) was the penultimate comic television
show at a time of live broadcasts.
Dick Gregory. African American civil
rights activist, writer, and comedian;
satirized situations related to racial
prejudice and became a powerful
comedic voice on behalf of the civil
rights struggle.
Bob Hope. Known for his popular and
now classic one-liners, as well as his
road movies with Bing Crosby.
Garrison Keillor. Author; Originator
and Host: A Prairie Home Companion.
Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau.
Created high comedy within serious
social situations.
Jerry Lewis. Television performer,
movie actor, director; represented the
modern day Charlie Chaplin.
Marx Brothers (Groucho, Chico, Harpo,
and Zeppo). Zany team of comedians
who played in Animal Crackers
(1930), Duck Soup (1933), A Night at
the Opera (1935), A Day at the Races
(1937) and so forth.
Neil Simon. Comic playwright who
makes people laugh and cry at the
same time through such outstanding
creations as, The Odd Couple (1968),
The Sunshine Boys (1972), and California
Suite (1976).