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Michelle Obama honors Alvin Ailey Dance director at the White House: slideshow

Marilee Vergati's photo
Dallas Dance Examiner

The renowned Alvin Ailey Dance Theater artistic director Judith Jamison was recently honored by Michelle Obama during her first White House Dance Series. Judith Jamison, the famous modern dancer and choreographer, was praised for her contributions to dance and recognized as a muse for the late Alvin Ailey. The company has helped produce some of the greatest dancers in the world.

Early in Jamison’s career she was invited by Agnes de Mille to perform in “The Four Marys” at the American Ballet Theatre. She also danced with Mikhail Baryshnikov in Ailey’s “Pas de Duke” set to the music of Duke Ellington in the 70s.

View slideshow: Michelle Obama honors Alvin Ailey Dance director at the White House: slideshow

Carrying on the tradition of brilliant innovative dance, Judith Jamison is known for her role in “Cry.” This 15-minute solo piece was performed for Michelle Obama’s event by Alvin Ailey’s stunning dancer and assistant director, Linda Celeste Sims. "Dance Magazine" highlighted Sims in their “Best of 2009.” She has also performed as a guest star for the hit TV series “So You Think You Can Dance.” The selection of Sims in the tribute dance for Judith Jamison was perfect.

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Students from around the country participated in a White House workshop on September 7, 2010 including the Alvin Ailey School, Ballet Hispanico, Cab Calloway School of the Arts, the Washington School of Ballet (where Chelsea Clinton studied) and the Philadelphia School for the Creative and Performing Arts.

The world premiere dance “Among the Stars” by Jessica Lang starring Yuan Yuan Tan and Alvin Ailey’s Clifton Brown was a major hit at Dallas’ TITAS Command Performance. The Alvin Ailey company is popular among the Dallas/Fort Worth audiences. The Alvin Ailey American Theater performs worldwide and is an ambassador of American culture and the beauty of modern dance.

Note: Michelle Obama also honored Broadway stars and invited dancers from the Duke Ellington School of the Arts to perform at the White House. >more with slideshow

Students at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts perform for Russia's First Lady Svetlana Medvedeva and Michelle Obama. >more with slideshow

13 photos
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater dancer Linda Celeste Sims performs an excerpt form the piece Cry in honor of Artistic Director Judith Jamison at the White House. Jamison is the current artistic director for the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater.

Slideshow: Michelle Obama honors Alvin Ailey Dance director at the White House: slideshow

First Lady Michelle Obama honors Judith Jamison during the first White House Dance Series.
First Lady Michelle Obama honors Judith Jamison during the first White House Dance Series.
Photo credit: 
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

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, Dallas Dance Examiner

Marilee Vergati is a lifelong lover of dance, music, art, theater and literature. The new AT&T Center of the Performing Arts in Dallas will showcase some of the top talent in the world. Marilee will explore all types of dance from its roots to current trends, classic choreography and the fusion...

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