Twyla is an American invented name from the early 20th century — possibly from the Old English *twi-leah* ("twilight") or the textile term "twill" (two-thread weaving). **Twyla Tharp (born 1941)** — **American dancer and choreographer; created 160+ dances for the world's leading ballet and contemporary companies including American Ballet Theatre, the New York City Ballet, the Joffrey Ballet, and the Paris Opera Ballet**. **Two Emmy Awards (1987 *The Catherine Wheel*, 1992 *Cuban Pete*); Tony Award for *Movin' Out* (2002), a Billy Joel jukebox musical; Kennedy Center Honor (2008); National Medal of Arts (2004); Doris Duke Award (2017)**. **Founded the Twyla Tharp Dance Foundation (1965, age 24); choreographed Miloš Forman's *Hair* (1979) and *Amadeus* (1984); collaborated with Frank Sinatra, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, and Billy Joel on dance productions**. **Her 2003 book *The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life* is on the New York Public Library's 100 Best Books for Adults**. **In 2024 became the oldest choreographer ever to receive a new commission from American Ballet Theatre at age 82**. **Twyla** is also a *Schitt's Creek* recurring character (Sarah Levy as café owner Twyla Sands).
Featured throughout American dance history.
Twyla reduces to three — the number of Movin' Out.