Ann Williams (choreographer) facts for kids

Ann Marie Williams, born Annie Marie Ferrell on October 21, 1937, is a famous American dancer and choreographer. She is best known for starting the Dallas Black Dance Theatre. This dance company is the oldest one that has been continuously performing in Dallas, Texas.

Early Life and Learning

Growing Up in Texas

Annie Marie Ferrell was born in Coolidge, Texas, on October 21, 1937. Her parents were Lloyd and Izora Ferrell. She went to several schools in Texas. These included Sandy Community School and Phillis Wheatley Elementary School in Hubbard. She also attended St. Anthony's Catholic School and Lincoln High School in Dallas. She graduated from Lincoln High School in 1955. It was at Lincoln High School that she first discovered her love for dance. She also became part of the local art community there.

College and Dance Degrees

Williams continued her education at Prairie View A&M University. She earned a bachelor's degree in Dance from this university. Later, she made history at Texas Woman's University. She became the first African American woman to earn a MFA degree from that university.

Dance Career and Achievements

Training and Teaching

Ann Marie Williams traveled to New York City to study dance. She learned from famous dancers and choreographers. Some of her teachers included Arthur Mitchell, Edith James, Martha Graham, Doris Humphrey, Charles Weidman, and Alvin Ailey. After her training in New York, she returned to Dallas. She began teaching dance for the Dallas Independent School District. In 1968, she received a large grant from the Ford Foundation. This allowed her to start the first dance department at Bishop College in Dallas, Texas.

Founding the Dallas Black Dance Theatre

In 1974, Williams created the Dallas Black Dance Academy. She wanted to offer dance lessons to students who could not afford private classes. The academy quickly became very popular. Because of its success, Williams' Dance Academy grew into the Dallas Black Dance Theatre in 1976.

Williams was the main creative director for the Dallas Black Dance Theatre until 2014. She helped guide the group to become the fourth largest African American dance troupe in the United States. Today, she still serves on the group's board of directors.

Awards and Recognition

The Dallas Black Dance Theatre performed at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia. This was a big honor for the company.

Ann Marie Williams has received many awards for her work. In 2002, she was inducted into the Texas Women's Hall of Fame. In 2017, the Texas Cultural Trust gave her the Texas Medal of Arts. She also serves on the boards of several other arts organizations. These include the Dallas Opera, Arts District Foundation, and Dance USA.

Personal Life

Ann Marie Williams married Nathaniel Williams in 1963. They were married for 44 years. Nathaniel passed away in 2007. They have one daughter named Angela.