When was janet collins born
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Janet Collins
American prima ballerina, choreographer and teacher
For the soap opera character, see Janet Bergman Collins.
Janet Collins, OblSB (March 7, 1917 – May 28, 2003) was an African American prima ballerina, choreographer, and teacher. She performed on Broadway, in films, and appeared frequently on television.[1] She was among the pioneers of black ballet dancing, one of the few classically trained Black dancers of her generation.
Biography
Janet Faye[2] Collins was born in New Orleans, and at the age of four moved with her family to Los Angeles, California,[3] where Collins received her first dance training at a Catholic community center. She studied primarily with Carmelita Maracci, Lester Horton, and Adolph Bolm, who were among the few ballet teachers who accepted black students.[1] She also had fond memories of studying with Los Angeles dance teacher Dorothy Lyndall.[4]
In 1932, aged 16,[5] Collins auditioned with success for the prestigious Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, but as she was requ
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Ballet History Trailblazer –
Janet Collins
Today we are honored to share a glimpse into the life of a crucial figure in ballet history, Janet Collins. Ms. Collins was an accomplished and acclaimed dancer and choreographer who broke the color line with the Metropolitan Opera in 1951 when she made her debut as the leading dancer in the Met’s production of “Aïda.” She went on to become the first African American prima ballerina with the Metropolitan Opera. Ms. Collins was also a member of SAB’s guest faculty, teaching modern dance classes at the School from 1949-1950 and then again from 1967-1969.
Born in New Orleans and raised in Los Angeles, Janet Collins nurtured her talents in both dance and art, studying ballet, modern, and ethnic dances in addition to drawing and painting. At the age of 15, she auditioned for Lèonide Massine and was offered a place with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, but she refused the offer upon learning that it came with the requirement that she whiten her skin with makeup to disguise the fact that she was Black. Despite
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Michelle Meadows
Janet Collins wanted to be a ballerina in the 1930s and 40s, a time when racial segregation was widespread in the United States. Janet pursued dance with a passion, despite being rejected from discriminatory dance schools. When she was accepted into the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo as a teenager on the condition that she paint her skin white for performances, Janet refused. She continued to go after her dreams, never compromising her values along the way. From her early childhood lessons to the height of her success as the first African American prima ballerina in the Metropolitan Opera, Brave Ballerina is the story of a remarkable pioneer as told by Michelle Meadows, with fantastic illustrations from Ebony Glenn.
Award Category
SC Picture Book Award
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