Skip to main content

Alma Heaton teaching materials, 1954-1979

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 2111 Series Series 2

Scope and Contents

Contains 18 textbooks about dance used by Alma Heaton during his time as a professor of recreation at Brigham Young University. Includes nine dance textbooks written by Alma Heaton, three dance textbooks by Benjamin F. de Hoyos, two dance textbooks written by Alma Heaton and Don Zimmerman, two editions of a dance textbook written by Alma and Isreal Heaton, and one dance textbook written by Alma and Marie Heaton. Books cover a wide variety of dance styles and topics, including the teaching of dance, disco, ballroom dance rhythms, latin american rythms, and social dance. Dated approximately 1954-1979.

Dates

  • 1954-1979

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Open for public research.

Conditions Governing Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Permission to publish material from Alma Heaton papers must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Board of Curators.

Biographical / Historical

From the Collection:

Alma Heaton (1914-2002) was a recreation professor at Brigham Young University, author of 56 books, creator of 27 dance instruction records, and participant in 10 films on dance and recreation. He was vice-president of the Utah Park's and Recreation Association and chairman of the American Association of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation Dance Section.

Alma Heaton was born on June 18, 1914 in Kanab, Utah to parents Israel Hoyt Heaton and Charlotte Cox. He went on to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Canada from 1935-1936. He then served in the United States Army in World War II from 1942-1946. He married Marie Bishop on April 13, 1943 in the Salt Lake Temple, and they had 5 children together. For two years, he and Bishop managed the Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Ogden, Utah while he attended Weber College for two years and Utah State University where he earned a master's degree in recreation and a teacher's certificate. He taught elementary school in Ogden for two years before joining the faculty at Brigham Young University in 1953 to develop the recreation and social dance programs. He retired from Brigham Young University in 1979. He and his wife then served as missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Goa, India, and were called on several short missions to Europe teaching dance and activities to the leaders and members of the church. He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving on the the Mutual Improvement Association Board for 15 years, as well as in various ward, stake, and church positions. Alma Heaton passed away on 30 November, 2002 in Provo, Utah.

Extent

1 box

1 carton

Language of Materials

English