A former ballet dancer, Wilor Bluege, has taught ballet and character dance (dances of ethnic origin) since 1969, and has been choreographing since 1978. She trained for 9 years with the Lorant and Anna Andahazy (Russian Imperial style of the Ballet Russe); for 6 years with Sylvia Bolton (NYC Ballet style); and for 6 years with Lirena Branitski (Bolshoi/Russian Vaganova syllabus). During her performing career, she performed corps de ballet, principal and soloist roles in Giselle, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Les Sylphides, Pas de Quatre, Nutcracker, Don Quixote, Scheherazade, Vivaldi Concerto, Los Seises, Stabat Mater, Legend of Love, and in many other classical, character, modern and jazz works created by contemporary choreographers. She holds a B.A. in biology and psychology and is proficient in the knowledge and implementation of the Russian method of ballet training.

     The book, "The Golden Bough, A Fairytale Ballet for Children," was born from the kernel of an idea Wilor had while giving a pre-performance pep talk to some young students in the spring of 1996. She spoke to the students about a little golden bird that lived inside each of their hearts - a golden bird that was fluttering wildly to get out. They had only to close their eyes, hold their hands over their hearts, and speak quietly to their little golden bird to reassure it and calm its fears. From this germ of an idea came the full story - all within the period of one month. Wilor self-published a paper-back version of the illustrated book within 3 months, and in 2000 had the book published by Lone Oak Press in a hardback version. The ballet, with full sets and costumes, premiered in November 1997 at the O'Shaughnessy Auditorium Theater in St. Paul, Minnesota, with 104 students in the cast.

     From the first, Wilor had an awareness that there was more to this story than just its positive message and beautiful entertainment value, so she began to write a commentary of the ballet which she continues to expand and amplify, hoping someday to have it published. The "Little Girl" of the book and the ballet is really "Every Girl" and "Every Woman" whoever lived. Her story is the story of all women who strive to live life more creatively and authentically.

     Wilor has also developed eight lecture presentations dealing with various aspects of dance to educate the dance and non-dance public. In addition to "The Golden Bough," Wilor has choreographed 30 other original works for the stage. She has also taught and staged numerous works of the classical ballet repertoire created by the greatest names in ballet history.