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Judith Jamison Highlight
It's okay to have doubts and to be scared, but get to your core...What truth are you trying to say in your life?
About Judith
- Says she learned about pageantry and art in church, as well as how to have the tenacity to get up every Sunday and go, even when she didn't want to.
- Remembers her first dance recital at six years old; when she heard the applause, something clicked.
- When she was 10 years old, she was already taking adult-level dance classes.
- Went to Fisk University, where she got a physical education degree; while there, she was discovered by Agnes de Mille.
- Her first major performance role was at the Met-says, "nobody gets their first gig at the Met, but that was me."
- Afterwards, she couldn't find any roles for African-American women, so she had to spend months working at a fair.
- After losing a part at an audition, she met Alvin Ailey, who invited her to come dance with his company.
- Her career paved the way for female African-American dancers; she was the first African-American to appear on the cover of Dance magazine.
