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Judith Ann Jamison was an American dancer and choreographer, often described as a "rock star" in the world of dance. Known as the principal dancer and favorite of Alvin Ailey, founder of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, she later served as the company’s artistic director from 1989 until 2011, after which she became its artistic director emerita.
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in either 1941 or 1943, Jamison passed away on November 9, 2024, at the age of 81 in New York City, where she had made her home. She never remarried after her divorce from Puerto Rican-born Miguel Goudreau, also a dancer and instructor with Alvin Ailey. Goudreau, known for his solo role in "The Prodigal Prince," passed away in 1996 at 49. Together, he and Judith made a remarkable dance partnership during their marriage from 1972 to 1974.
Jamison, standing a commanding 5 feet 10 inches, carried herself with grace that made her appear at ease, even alongside shorter dancers. Her impeccable posture and presence were testament to her artistry. She earned her international acclaim for being an embodiment of grace, humanity, and humility, shedding a radiant light reflective of her brilliance. Her contributions to dance will live on through her work.
In addition to her tenure with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Jamison performed with The Jamison Project, Harkness Ballet, and the American Ballet Theater. As a dancer, she solidified her place in the dance world with her iconic performance of Cry, a 17-minute solo choreographed by Ailey and dedicated to “all Black women everywhere—especially our mothers.” In a 2008 NPR interview, Jamison explained that the piece resonates deeply because it tells a singular, universal story. “It had nothing to do with how high I was raising my legs or how many pirouettes I was doing,” she said. “It had to do with inner-self and vulnerability, and being able to share that vulnerability and for you to recognize it as something human.”
Her 1993 memoir, "Dancing Spirit," detailed a childhood rich in cultural experiences—visits to museums, zoos, operas, and theaters. At six, she began studying at the Judimar School of Dance. In 1965, she joined the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and became one of the most recognizable talents in dance. Though she briefly left to start her own company, she eventually returned, succeeding Ailey as the company’s artistic director.
Under Jamison's leadership, the company thrived. In 2005, the company opened the Joan Weill Center for Dance, a physical space and permanent home for the Ailey company. Jamison told NPR she had never thought such an achievement would be possible, saying, “We were just out there trying to keep the flame alive.”
Alvin Ailey’s timeless masterpiece "Revelations" remains one of the most well-known and respected ballets in dance history, even recognized by a U.S. Senate resolution. Jamison was instrumental in presenting Revelations, helping to sustain its enduring popularity. This suite, using African-American spirituals, song-sermons, gospel songs, and blues, delves deeply into the experiences of grief and joy in the soul.
Jamison also created numerous celebrated works, including "Divining" (1984), "Forgotten Time" (1989), "Hymn" (1993), "HERE... NOW." (commissioned for the 2002 Cultural Olympiad), "Love Stories" (2004, with additional choreography by Robert Battle and Rennie Harris), and "Among Us (Private Spaces: Public Places)" (2009). She performed her swan song in 2011 before stepping down as artistic director.
Jamison has inspired countless young dancers, men and women alike, who aspired to a professional dance career. Since her passing, friends, family, and fans have shared tributes, including a heartfelt acknowledgment from former First Lady Michelle Obama.
Upon stepping down as artistic director in 2011, Jamison expressed confidence in the company’s future. “I am fearlessly reaching into the future,” she told NPR—a vision she leaves for the next generation of dancers to carry forward.