Twyla Tharp is an American dancer, choreographer, and author, born on July 1, 1941, in Portland, Indiana. She is known for forming the company Twyla Tharp Dance in 1965, which later merged with American Ballet Theatre and regrouped in 1991. Tharp's work often incorporates classical, jazz, and contemporary pop music and has toured extensively around the world. She is recognized for choreographing groundbreaking ballets such as "Deuce Coupe" and "Push Comes to Shove," which featured renowned dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov. Tharp has also created dances for prestigious ballet companies and developed the material for the award-winning Broadway musical "Movin' Out," featuring the music of Billy Joel. In 2012, she created the full-length ballet "The Princess and the Goblin" and served as the first Artist in Residency at Pacific Northwest Ballet in Seattle. Tharp's influence extends to Broadway, where her works have been widely acclaimed, including her staging of "Singin' in the Rain" and the dance musical "Movin' Out." With numerous accolades to her name, including an honorary Doctor of Arts degree from Harvard University in 2018, Twyla Tharp continues to be a prominent figure in the world of dance and choreography.

Twyla Herbert, born Twila Moody, was an influential American songwriter recognized for her prolific collaboration with the renowned singer Lou Christie. Born in Riverside, California, she later relocated to Pennsylvania, where she married Earle Herbert. The duo's partnership began when a young Lou Christie encountered the enigmatic and clairvoyant Twyla during an audition, ultimately leading to a fruitful songwriting alliance. Their creative synergy spawned numerous chart-topping hits, including "The Gypsy Cried," "Two Faces Have I," "Rhapsody in the Rain," "She Sold Me Magic," and the iconic "Lightnin' Strikes," which garnered widespread acclaim. Twyla's songwriting prowess and mystique greatly contributed to their success, with Christie praising her as a genius and highlighting their abundant creativity. Additionally, the duo composed memorable songs for the girl group the Tammys, notably the cult classic "Egyptian Shumba." Twyla Herbert's remarkable legacy in the music industry continues to resonate, solidifying her status as a revered songwriter. She passed away in Phoenix, Arizona in 2009 at the age of 87.

Twyla Beth Baker, born on October 4, 1976, is a prominent American Indian academic administrator and the seventh president of Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College. She hails from the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in New Town, North Dakota, and is an enrolled member of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation. Baker's educational journey includes a B.S. in environmental geology and technology, an M.S. in education general studies, and a Ph.D. in teaching and learning and research methodologies from the University of North Dakota. Her career has been marked by impactful research on Native elder health statistics, with a particular focus on mental health and social engagement among American Indian elders. Baker's dedication to her community led her to the role of principal investigator of the National Indigenous Elder Justice Initiative.In 2014, Baker assumed the presidency of NHS College, where she continues to make significant contributions in the field of Native American education. Beyond her professional pursuits, she is also a key figure in political circles, having co-founded a Native American caucus group within the North Dakota Democratic–Nonpartisan League Party in 2020. With her extensive academic background and commitment to serving her community, Twyla Beth Baker stands as a respected leader and advocate for Native American issues.