30 Facts About Judith Jamison

Judith Ann Jamison was an American dancer and choreographer.

Judith Jamison danced with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater from 1965 to 1980 and was Ailey's muse.

Judith Jamison later returned to be the company's artistic director from 1989 until 2011, and then its artistic director emerita.

Judith Jamison received the Kennedy Center Honors in 1999, the National Medal of Arts in 2001, and the Handel Medallion, New York City's highest cultural honor, in 2010.

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 very early.

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

Judith Jamison learned the Cecchetti method from Antony Tudor, founder of the Philadelphia Ballet Guild.

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

At the age of 17, Judith Jamison graduated from Judimar; she began her collegiate studies at Fisk University.

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 premiered with Alvin Ailey Dance Theater at Chicago's Harper Theater Dance Festival in 1965 in Congo Tango Palace; 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 was Ailey's muse.

Judith Jamison danced quite a bit in Germany, which she said 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.

The piece and Judith Jamison's performance received standing ovations and overwhelming critical acclaim at the premiere, rewarding Judith Jamison with great fame and recognition throughout the dance world.

Judith Jamison danced alongside many renowned dancers, including the ballet legend Mikhail Baryshnikov, in a duet, 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 works.

Judith Jamison later formed The Jamison Project with dancers who strongly desired 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 to commission distinguished choreographers to create new works for the dancers.

Judith Jamison continued choreographing and creating 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 married Miguel Godreau, a dancer with the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, in 1972.

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