25 Facts About Judith Jamison

Judith Ann Jamison was born on May 10,1943 and is an American dancer and choreographer.

Judith Jamison is the artistic director emerita of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

Judith Jamison was born in 1943 to Tessie Brown Jamison and John Jamison Sr.

Judith Jamison's father taught her to play the piano, and violin.

Judith Jamison was exposed to the prominent art culture in Philadelphia from a very early age.

Under Cuyjet's tutelage, Judith Jamison studied classical ballet, and modern dance.

Judith Jamison studied Dalcroze Eurhythmics, a system that teaches rhythm through movement.

In 1992, Judith Jamison was inducted into Delta Sigma Theta sorority as an honorary member.

Judith Jamison immediately accepted the offer and spent the next few months working with the company.

Judith Jamison made her premiere with Alvin Ailey Dance Theater at Chicago's Harper Theater Dance Festival in 1965 in Congo Tango Palace, and in 1966, she toured Europe and Africa with the company.

Judith Jamison had always had a strong interest in African identity; therefore, traveling to Africa with the company and having the opportunity to observe the culture first-hand was an exciting and valuable experience for her.

Judith Jamison spent the next thirteen years dancing with Alvin Ailey Dance Theater and learned over seventy ballets.

Judith Jamison danced quite a bit in Germany, which she says became her "second home".

On May 4,1971, Judith Jamison premiered the famous solo, Cry.

Judith Jamison never ran the full piece from start to finish until the premiere.

Judith Jamison danced alongside many renowned dancers, including the ballet legend Mikhail Baryshnikov, in a duet entitled Pas de Duke, choreographed by Alvin Ailey in 1976.

Judith Jamison began teaching master classes at Jacob's Pillow in 1981 and soon began choreographing her own works.

Judith Jamison later formed The Jamison Project with a group of dancers with a strong desire to work and learn.

Judith Jamison later invited guest choreographers, including Garth Fagan, to set work for the company.

In 1988, Judith Jamison returned to Alvin Ailey Dance Theater as an artistic associate.

Alvin Ailey Dance Theater continued to thrive as Judith Jamison continued to rehearse and restage classics from the company's repertory, as well as commission distinguished choreographers to create new works for the dancers.

Judith Jamison continued to choreograph, and created dances such as Forgotten Time, Hymn, Love Stories, and Among Us for the company.

In July 2011, Judith Jamison transitioned into the role of artistic director emerita and appointed Robert Battle to the position of artistic director designate.

Judith Jamison was married briefly to Miguel Godreau, a dancer with the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, from 1972 to 1974, when the marriage was annulled.

Judith Jamison represents women as strong and self-reliant in her choreography.