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Emerita Judith Jamison, the acclaimed dancer and former artistic director of the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, has passed away at the age of 81. According to a recent Instagram post by the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, she died following a brief illness.
Born in 1943 in Philadelphia, Jamison discovered her passion for dance early in life. Despite the limited opportunities for Black dancers at the time, she studied ballet at the Judimar School of Dance and later attended the Philadelphia Dance Academy.
Her talent led her to New York, where she caught the attention of Alvin Ailey. After seeing her audition, Ailey invited her to join his dance company. Jamison debuted with the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater in 1965 and rejoined when it re-formed in 1967.
During her 13-year tenure, she performed across the U.S., earning acclaim for her powerful solo, Cry, choreographed by Ailey in honor of Black women.