Judith Jamison"When you come to the theatre open your head and your heart and your mind because we are there to transform you. I’ve lived a life in this skin, I’ve been round the world a million times and I’m a human being who has seen the world, so I’m giving you that perspective."-Jamison

Remarks by Alvin Ailey Faculty Member Tracy Inman On Behalf of Ms. Judith Jamison at the AEA Foundation’s 2004 Paul Robeson Award Ceremony:

In 1965 when Judith Jamison joined the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, she had no idea that performing a solo called “Cry” would catapult her to the forefront of the dance world; that the dramatic athleticism of her commanding performances would serve as an inspiration and symbol of strength and courage for thousands who felt that they lacked the typical aesthetic of what a dancer should be; that she too, would be opening doors for aspiring performers around the world.

As choreographer and Artistic Director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, her creativity, insight, humility, integrity and passion have brought the joy of dance to thousands around the world. She is a visionary who has expanded and vaulted the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater to a whole new dimension.

Jamison looks into the void and sees possibilities for dancers, students and children. She believes in history and the idea of “Sankofa” which is: “We don’t know where we are going unless we know where we’ve been”.

She believes in passing on traditions, by welcoming all who have passed through her school and the companies, to come back and share our knowledge and experiences with a new generation of dancers. Her generosity toward her staff and dancers propel (them) to excel and work even harder to promote the ideals of the craft and to give back to the people; that, which came from the people.

She is an ambassador whose skill and leadership has made Mr. Ailey’s dream of building a home for his company a reality, and a beacon for all artists who wish to serve humanity and exemplifies world citizenship.

Biography: (from AEA website article)
Judith Jamison was appointed Artistic Director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in December 1989 at the request of her mentor, Alvin Ailey. A native of Philadelphia, she studied with Marion Cuyjet, was discovered by Agnes de Mille and made her New York debut with American Ballet Theatre in 1964.

She became a member of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1965 and danced with the company for 15 years to great acclaim. Recognizing her extraordinary talent, Mr. Ailey created some of his most enduring roles for her, most notably the tour de force solo, Cry. After leaving the Company in 1980, Ms. Jamison appeared as a guest artist with ballet companies all over the world and starred in the hit Broadway musical Sophisticated Ladies. In 1988, she formed her own company, The Jamison Project.

As a highly regarded choreographer, Ms. Jamison has created works for many companies. She is also a master teacher, lecturer and author. Her autobiography, Dancing Spirit, was edited by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and published by Doubleday in 1993.

She is a noted authority on modern dance and an advocate for education in the arts. She is the recipient of many awards and honorary degrees, including a prime time Emmy Award and an American Choreography Award for Outstanding Choreography in the PBS "Great Performances: Dance In America" special, A Hymn for Alvin Ailey, and an honorary doctorate from Howard University. In December 1999, Ms. Jamison was presented with the Kennedy Center Honor, recognizing her lifetime contributions to American culture through the performing arts.

In 2001, Jamison was presented with a National Medal of Arts, the most prestigious award presented to artists in the United States. She has also received the “Making a Difference” Award by the NAACP ACT-SO.

As Artistic Director of The Ailey School, Ms. Jamison continues Mr. Ailey's practice of showcasing the talents of emerging choreographers from within the ranks of the Company. She is dedicated to asserting the prominence of the arts in our culture, spearheading initiatives to bring dance into the community and programs that introduce children to the arts. She remains committed to promoting the significance of the Ailey legacy--dance as a medium for honoring the past, celebrating the present and fearlessly reaching into the future.