Jacques d'Amboise (dancer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jacques d'Amboise
|
|
|---|---|
Jacques d'Amboise in 2000
|
|
| Born |
Joseph Jacques Ahearn
July 28, 1934 Dedham, Massachusetts, U.S.
|
| Died | May 2, 2021 (aged 86) Manhattan, New York, U.S.
|
| Education | School of American Ballet |
| Occupation |
|
| Years active | 1949–2021 |
| Organization | New York City Ballet National Dance Institute |
| Spouse(s) |
Carolyn George
(m. 1956; died 2009) |
| Children | 4; including Christopher and Charlotte d'Amboise |
Jacques d'Amboise (born Joseph Jacques Ahearn, July 28, 1934 – May 2, 2021) was a famous American ballet dancer. He was also a choreographer, actor, and teacher. He joined the New York City Ballet in 1949. By 1953, he became a principal dancer. He performed in 24 ballets created by George Balanchine.
D'Amboise also appeared in movies like Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and Carousel. He created 17 ballets for the New York City Ballet. He stopped performing in 1984. In 1976, he started the National Dance Institute. This group helps children learn about dance. A movie about his work, He Makes Me Feel Like Dancin', won an Academy Award. He received many honors for his work.
Contents
Early Life and Dance Training
Joseph Jacques Ahearn was born on July 28, 1934. His birthplace was Dedham, Massachusetts. His father was Irish American, and his mother was French Canadian. He was one of four children in his family. His family later moved to Washington Heights, Manhattan, New York.
When he was seven, Jacques went to his sister's ballet class. Six months later, he joined George Balanchine's School of American Ballet. In 1946, his family changed their last name to d'Amboise. His mother thought it sounded more special. That same year, he began performing as a child with Ballet Society. He left high school at age fifteen. This was when he joined the New York City Ballet.
A Star Dancer's Career
In 1949, Jacques d'Amboise joined the New York City Ballet. He was only 15 years old. Soon, he was given important lead roles. In 1953, he became a principal dancer. This is a top position in a ballet company.
The famous choreographer George Balanchine created many roles for him. Some of these were in ballets like Western Symphony (1954) and Stars and Stripes (1958). He also danced the main role in the 1957 revival of Balanchine's Apollo. D'Amboise also created 17 ballets for the company himself.
Outside of ballet, d'Amboise acted in movies. In 1954, he played Ephraim in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. He also appeared in Carousel in 1956. In 1957, he performed in a Broadway musical called Shinbone Alley.
Helping Kids Dance
In 1976, Jacques d'Amboise started the National Dance Institute. He wanted to share dance with children. At first, only 30 boys were in the group. By 2021, the program had helped two million children. In 1978, he became the dean of dance at State University of New York at Purchase.
A documentary called He Makes Me Feel Like Dancin' was made about his work. It showed his efforts with the National Dance Institute. This film won an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 1983. It also won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Children's Program in 1984.
D'Amboise retired from the New York City Ballet in 1984. He was almost 50 years old. He said he retired because there were fewer roles for dancers his age. After that, he focused mostly on the National Dance Institute. In 1986, he appeared in the Disney movie Off Beat. In the movie, his character taught dance to New York City police.
Awards and Recognition
Jacques d'Amboise received many important awards. These include the MacArthur Fellowship in 1990. He also received the Kennedy Center Honors in 1995. In 1998, he was given the National Medal of Arts. He also won the Fred and Adele Astaire Awards in 2011. Other honors included the Heinz Award and honorary degrees from universities.
Family Life
In 1956, d'Amboise married Carolyn George. She was also a dancer with the New York City Ballet. Later, she became a photographer. They had four children together. Two of their children, Christopher and Charlotte, also became dancers. Carolyn George passed away in 2009.
His Last Dance
Jacques d'Amboise died at his home in Manhattan. This was on May 2, 2021. He was 86 years old. He passed away due to problems from a stroke.
See also
In Spanish: Jacques d'Amboise para niños
