Virginia Johnson (dancer)
Virginia Johnson | |
---|---|
Born | 1950 (age 73–74) Washington, D.C. United States |
Education | The Washington School of Ballet |
Occupation(s) | ballet dancer, magazine editor, artistic director |
Career | |
Former groups | Dance Theatre of Harlem |
Alma mater | Fordham University |
Virginia Johnson (born 1950) is an American ballet dancer, choreographer, and journalist. She retired in 2023 as the artistic director of Dance Theatre of Harlem, having been a founding member and principal dancer of the company. From 2000 to 2009 she was the editor-in-chief of Pointe.
Early life
Johnson was born and raised in Washington, D.C.[1] She began training in classical ballet at the age of three under Therrell Smith, a friend of her mother's who had trained under Mathilde Kschessinska. When she was thirteen years old she was accepted as a scholarship student at The Washington School of Ballet, where she trained under Mary Day and was the only African-American student. She graduated from the school in 1968.[2]
Career
Johnson moved to New York City and enrolled as a dance major at New York University. While a student there, she took a class with Arthur Mitchell and was invited to help start a ballet company with him. She became a founding member of Dance Theatre of Harlem in 1969 and was promoted to the rank of principal dancer.[1][3][4] She danced lead roles in Agon, A Streetcar Named Desire, Creole Giselle, Concerto Barocco, Allegro Brillante, Fall River Legend, Swan Lake, Les Biches, and Glen Tetley's Voluntaries.[1][2][5]
After a twenty-eight year career with the company, Johnson stepped down and enrolled as a communications student at Fordham University. She was later hired as the inaugural editor-in-chief of Pointe Magazine and served in that capacity from 2000 until 2009. Johnson then rejoined the Dance Theatre of Harlem as its artistic director.[2][1] Johnson retired in 2023.[6][7]
References
- ^ a b c d "Meet Virginia Johnson: From Prima Ballerina to Dance Theatre of Harlem Artistic Director". Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. Mar 14, 2017. Retrieved Apr 13, 2019.
- ^ a b c "Virginia Johnson – Artistic Director, Dance Theatre of Harlem". DanceTabs. Sep 17, 2013. Retrieved Apr 13, 2019.
- ^ "Pointe". Pointe. Retrieved Apr 13, 2019.
- ^ Kaufman, Sarah (2011-03-18). "Virginia Johnson, choreographing Dance Theatre of Harlem's rebirth". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2019-04-13.
- ^ "Virginia Johnson |". Retrieved Apr 13, 2019.
- ^ "Virginia Johnson Leaves Legacy at Dance Theatre of Harlem". CBS News New York. February 13, 2023. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
- ^ "Virginia Johnson on her time at Dance Theatre of Harlem: 'It was love'". Georgia Public Broadcasting. June 28, 2023. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
- Living people
- 1950 births
- African-American ballet dancers
- African-American female dancers
- American ballerinas
- American magazine editors
- African-American women journalists
- African-American journalists
- American women choreographers
- American choreographers
- Artistic directors
- Dance Theatre of Harlem dancers
- Dancers from Washington, D.C.
- Women magazine editors
- New York University alumni
- Fordham University alumni
- Journalists from Washington, D.C.