Born May 10, 1943 in Philadelphia, Jamison credits her parents for fostering her love of the arts and her passion for dance. Her father, a carpenter, sang and played classical music on the piano. Her mother, a school teacher, believed education is the great equalizer. At an early age, Jamison's father taught her piano and violin and her mother instilled in her the importance of being disciplined.
Jamison's parents also set high standards and expectations of excellence for their children. In an interview with Newsweek, Jamison said: "I grew up in a household of people who sang and played the piano. So I came from a disciplined house. You don't arrive to places late, you are polite, and you do unto others as you would have them do to you." Perhaps equally as influential in molding and shaping Jamison during her formative years was her church, Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, founded by revolutionary activist, Bishop Richard Allen in 1787. Mother Bethel is a historic African American church with a rich history of celebration and commitment to African American history, culture, and tradition. Jamison, her parents and brother were active members of the church and they all sang in the church choir.
At age six Judith began pursuing her passion to dance when her parents enrolled her in ballet at the Judimar School of Dance in Philadelphia. Driven by what she refers to as the Jamison household mantra, pray, prepare, and precede, Jamison spent 11 years at Judimar, perfecting her "art". During this time, she received formal training in ballet, tap, Jazz, and acrobatics. She also performed in several local productions.
For a brief period after graduating from high school, Jamison attended Fisk University in Nashville, where she studied psychology. However, after her freshman year she decided to return to Philadelphia to renew and pursue her passion and enrolled in dance courses at the University of the Arts (Philadelphia Dance Academy). It was during her studies at the University of the Arts, that she first saw Alvin Ailey perform with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. Jamison was so moved by Ailey's performance she thought to herself, "I can do that."
Brian Tracey, a note motivational speaker once said, "Most people achieved their greatest success one step beyond what looked like their greatest failure." This certainly holds true for Judith Jamison. Out of seemingly failure came a life-altering encounter for Jamison. While pursuing her passion for dance in New York in the late 1960s, during what she termed "a failed audition" Jamison and Alvin Ailey's paths crossed. Ailey was in the audience during Jamison's audition, and while she was not chosen for the part she auditioned for, Ailey was struck by the talent he saw in Jamison. Three days after the failed audition Ailey called Jamison and extended an invitation for her to join his company.
She accepted with much excitement, and the rest, as they say is history! It was the beginning of a professional collaboration that lasted until Ailey's death, 21 years later.
As we celebrate Women History Month, we recognize the contributions of Judith Jamison to the Arts, and her unwavering commitment to keep our history, tradition and culture alive. Among her many noted accomplishments:
- 1965-1980: Principal Dancer, Alvin Ailey American Dance Company
- 1988: Jamison formed her own 12 member dance company known as The Jamison Project.
- 1989-2011: Alvin Ailey fell ill. Ailey asked Jamison to take over his company after his death, and she agreed. In December 1989, Jamison became the Artistic Director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Company. She served in this role for 21 years.
- 1993: Dancing Spirit, An Autobiography, by Judith Jamison was published.
- 2011: Jamison became Artistic Director Emerita of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Company.
"Be human, be honest with yourself, and then your truth will rise and be seen by everyone."
J. Jamison
Awards
- Youngest person ever to receive The Dance USA Award (1998) New York State Governor's Arts Award (1998)
- Kennedy Center Honors for her contribution to American culture through dance (1999)
- A prime time Emmy Award and an American Choreography Award for her work on the PBS Documentary "A Hymn for Alvin Ailey" (1999)
- National Medal of Arts (2001)
- Honored by the National Theater of Ghana (2002)
- The Paul Robeson Award from the Actors' Equity Association (2004)
- Bessie Award for her commitment to development in dance and the arts (2007)
- The BET Honors Award - a tribute to the achievement of leading African Americans (2009)
- Listed in the TIME 100: The World's Most Influential People (2009)
- Congressional Black Caucus' Phoenix Award (2010)
- The Handel Medallion (2010)
"A Mantra for Life: Pray, Prepare, Proceed!" ~ J. Jamison
