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Jacques d'Amboise (dancer)

Jacques d'Amboise (born Joseph Jacques Ahearn, July 28, 1934 – May 2, 2021)[1] was an American ballet dancer, choreographer, and educator. He joined the New York City Ballet in 1949 and was named principal dancer in 1953, and throughout his time with the company he danced 24 roles for George Balanchine. He also made film appearances, including Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and Carousel. He choreographed 17 ballets for the New York City Ballet and retired from performing in 1984.

Jacques d'Amboise
d'Amboise in 2000
Born
Joseph Jacques Ahearn

(1934-07-28)July 28, 1934
DiedMay 2, 2021(2021-05-02) (aged 86)
EducationSchool of American Ballet
Occupations
  • Ballet dancer
  • choreographer
  • educator
Years active1949–2021
Organization(s)New York City Ballet
National Dance Institute
Spouse
(m. 1956; died 2009)
Children4; including Christopher and Charlotte d'Amboise

D'Amboise founded the National Dance Institute in 1976 to promote dance to children. His work with the institute was featured in the documentary, He Makes Me Feel Like Dancin', which won an Academy Award and a Primetime Emmy Award. He received the MacArthur Fellowship in 1990, the Kennedy Center Honors in 1995, and the National Medal of Arts in 1998.

External videos
Jacques d'Amboise rehearsing with Tanaquil Le Clercq (New York City Ballet) on
PBS's American Master's in:
Jerome Robbins' Afternoon of a Faun in 1953

Early life and training edit

Joseph Jacques Ahearn was born on July 28, 1934, in Dedham, Massachusetts, to an Irish American father, Andrew Ahearn, and a mother of French Canadian descent, Georgette D'Amboise.[2] He was one of four children.[3][1] His father worked as a personal telegraph operator to Joseph P. Kennedy Sr.[4]: 17  The family later moved to Washington Heights, Manhattan, New York. His father became an elevator operator at the Columbia Presbyterian Hospital.[1]

At age seven, d'Amboise was sent to his sister's ballet class, and within six months he entered George Balanchine's School of American Ballet.[1] In 1946 his mother managed to convince the family to change their surname from Ahearn to hers, d'Amboise, as "it's aristocratic, it's French...and it's a better name". Thus his name was legally changed to Joseph Jacques d'Amboise.[4]: 60  The same year he started performing child roles with Ballet Society.[5] He left high school at age fifteen when he joined the New York City Ballet.[6]

Career edit

In 1949, 15-year-old d'Amboise was recruited to the New York City Ballet.[7] Soon he was cast in lead roles, including the lead in Lew Christensen's Filling Station.[1] In 1953 he was promoted to principal dancer.[8] Balanchine created 24 roles for him, including Western Symphony (1954), Stars and Stripes (1958), Episodes (1959), Movements for Piano and Orchestra (1963), Jewels (1967), Who Cares (1970), Robert Schumann's Davidsbündlertänze (1980), as well the New York City Ballet 1957 revival of Balanchine's Apollo, in which d'Amboise danced the titular role.[1][8] He also choreographed 17 ballets for the company.[1]

Outside of the New York City Ballet, d'Amboise had also appeared in films. In 1954 he played Ephraim in Stanley Donen's film, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, after Donen spotted d'Amboise in a performance of Filling Station.[1][9] In 1956 he appeared in two films, Carousel as Starlight Carnival barker and The Best Things in Life Are Free.[1][9] In 1957 he performed in the Broadway musical, Shinbone Alley.[8]

In 1976 he founded the National Dance Institute to promote dance to children.[10] At first the group only had 30 boys.[8] As of 2021 the program had reached 2 million children.[11] In 1978 he was named dean of dance at State University of New York at Purchase.[12] D'Amboise was the subject of Emile Ardolino's documentary, He Makes Me Feel Like Dancin', which followed his works with the National Dance Institute. The film won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 1983 and the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Children's Program in 1984.[13][14]

External videos
  Jacques d'Amboise with Suzanne Farrell on USA DANCE: New York City Ballet (1965) performing George Balanchine's "Meditation"
on archive.org

He retired from the New York City Ballet in 1984, shortly before he turned 50.[6] He later stated he decided to retire as there were few roles he could dance at that age.[15] He then shifted his focus to the National Dance Institute.[1] In 1986 he appeared in the Disney film, Off Beat, with his character teaching dance to New York City police.[9]

In 1994, he co-founded the National Dance Institute New Mexico (NDI New Mexico) with Catherine Oppenheimer.[16]

Awards and honors edit

Honors d'Amboise received include the MacArthur Fellowship in 1990, the Kennedy Center Honors in 1995, the National Medal of Arts in 1998,[8] and the Fred and Adele Astaire Awards in 2011.[10] He also received the Heinz Award,[17] the New York Governor's Award, and honorary doctorate degrees from Boston College and Montclair State University.[9]

Personal life edit

In 1956 d'Amboise married Carolyn George, a New York City Ballet dancer and later a photographer.[10] They had four children, including Christopher, a dancer and choreographer, and Charlotte, also a dancer and actress. Carolyn George died in 2009.[18]

Death edit

D'Amboise died at his home in Manhattan on May 2, 2021, following complications from a stroke at the age of 86.[1]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Sulcas, Roslyn (May 3, 2021). "Jacques d'Amboise, an Early Male Star of City Ballet, Dies at 86". The New York Times.
  2. ^ Who's who in the world. 1.1971/72(1970). Marquis Who's Who. 1970. ISBN 9780837911014.
  3. ^ Craine, Debra; Mackrell, Judith (August 19, 2010). The Oxford Dictionary of Dance. OUP Oxford. p. 11. ISBN 978-0199563449.
  4. ^ a b d'Amboise, Jacques (2011). I Was a Dancer. Knopf Doubleday Publishing. pp. 280–281. ISBN 9780307595232.
  5. ^ Mason, Francis (1991). I Remember Balanchine: Recollections of the Ballet Master by Those who Knew Him. Doubleday. pp. 171–176. ISBN 9780385266109.
  6. ^ a b Macaulay, Alastair (March 6, 2011). "Balanchine's Golden Boy Looks Back". The New York Times.
  7. ^ Jacobs, Laura (March 5, 2011). "An American Apollo". The Wall Street Journal.
  8. ^ a b c d e Halzack, Sarah (May 3, 2021). "Jacques d'Amboise, exuberant star of the New York City Ballet, dies at 86". The Washington Post.
  9. ^ a b c d "Dance Legend Jacques d'Amboise Passes Away at 86". BroadwayWorld. May 3, 2021.
  10. ^ a b c Looseleaf, Victoria (May 15, 2011). "A new chapter for Jacques d'Amboise". Los Angeles Times.
  11. ^ Noveck, Jocelyn (May 3, 2021). "Dancer Jacques d'Amboise dead at 86". ABC News.
  12. ^ Dunning, Jennifer (January 5, 1978). "D'Amboise Named Dean at Purchase". The New York Times.
  13. ^ O'Connor, John J. (October 25, 1983). "TV: 'Bay City Blues' Begins on NBC". The New York Times.
  14. ^ . The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 14, 2012.
  15. ^ Noveck, Jocelyn (April 27, 2018). "Jacques d'Amboise at 83: Still making kids feel like dancing". AP News.
  16. ^ Nott, Robert (May 6, 2021). "'Pied Piper of dance in New Mexico' created a legacy in Santa Fe". Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  17. ^ "Jacques d'Amboise". The Heinz Award. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  18. ^ Kisselgoff, Anna (February 12, 2009). "Carolyn George, City Ballet Soloist, Dies at 81". The New York Times.

External links edit

jacques, amboise, dancer, jacques, amboise, born, joseph, jacques, ahearn, july, 1934, 2021, american, ballet, dancer, choreographer, educator, joined, york, city, ballet, 1949, named, principal, dancer, 1953, throughout, time, with, company, danced, roles, ge. Jacques d Amboise born Joseph Jacques Ahearn July 28 1934 May 2 2021 1 was an American ballet dancer choreographer and educator He joined the New York City Ballet in 1949 and was named principal dancer in 1953 and throughout his time with the company he danced 24 roles for George Balanchine He also made film appearances including Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and Carousel He choreographed 17 ballets for the New York City Ballet and retired from performing in 1984 Jacques d Amboised Amboise in 2000BornJoseph Jacques Ahearn 1934 07 28 July 28 1934Dedham Massachusetts U S DiedMay 2 2021 2021 05 02 aged 86 Manhattan New York U S EducationSchool of American BalletOccupationsBallet dancer choreographer educatorYears active1949 2021Organization s New York City BalletNational Dance InstituteSpouseCarolyn George m 1956 died 2009 wbr Children4 including Christopher and Charlotte d Amboise D Amboise founded the National Dance Institute in 1976 to promote dance to children His work with the institute was featured in the documentary He Makes Me Feel Like Dancin which won an Academy Award and a Primetime Emmy Award He received the MacArthur Fellowship in 1990 the Kennedy Center Honors in 1995 and the National Medal of Arts in 1998 External videosJacques d Amboise rehearsing with Tanaquil Le Clercq New York City Ballet on PBS s American Master s in Jerome Robbins Afternoon of a Faun in 1953 Contents 1 Early life and training 2 Career 3 Awards and honors 4 Personal life 5 Death 6 References 7 External linksEarly life and training editJoseph Jacques Ahearn was born on July 28 1934 in Dedham Massachusetts to an Irish American father Andrew Ahearn and a mother of French Canadian descent Georgette D Amboise 2 He was one of four children 3 1 His father worked as a personal telegraph operator to Joseph P Kennedy Sr 4 17 The family later moved to Washington Heights Manhattan New York His father became an elevator operator at the Columbia Presbyterian Hospital 1 At age seven d Amboise was sent to his sister s ballet class and within six months he entered George Balanchine s School of American Ballet 1 In 1946 his mother managed to convince the family to change their surname from Ahearn to hers d Amboise as it s aristocratic it s French and it s a better name Thus his name was legally changed to Joseph Jacques d Amboise 4 60 The same year he started performing child roles with Ballet Society 5 He left high school at age fifteen when he joined the New York City Ballet 6 Career editIn 1949 15 year old d Amboise was recruited to the New York City Ballet 7 Soon he was cast in lead roles including the lead in Lew Christensen s Filling Station 1 In 1953 he was promoted to principal dancer 8 Balanchine created 24 roles for him including Western Symphony 1954 Stars and Stripes 1958 Episodes 1959 Movements for Piano and Orchestra 1963 Jewels 1967 Who Cares 1970 Robert Schumann s Davidsbundlertanze 1980 as well the New York City Ballet 1957 revival of Balanchine s Apollo in which d Amboise danced the titular role 1 8 He also choreographed 17 ballets for the company 1 Outside of the New York City Ballet d Amboise had also appeared in films In 1954 he played Ephraim in Stanley Donen s film Seven Brides for Seven Brothers after Donen spotted d Amboise in a performance of Filling Station 1 9 In 1956 he appeared in two films Carousel as Starlight Carnival barker and The Best Things in Life Are Free 1 9 In 1957 he performed in the Broadway musical Shinbone Alley 8 In 1976 he founded the National Dance Institute to promote dance to children 10 At first the group only had 30 boys 8 As of 2021 the program had reached 2 million children 11 In 1978 he was named dean of dance at State University of New York at Purchase 12 D Amboise was the subject of Emile Ardolino s documentary He Makes Me Feel Like Dancin which followed his works with the National Dance Institute The film won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 1983 and the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Children s Program in 1984 13 14 External videos nbsp Jacques d Amboise with Suzanne Farrell on USA DANCE New York City Ballet 1965 performing George Balanchine s Meditation on archive org He retired from the New York City Ballet in 1984 shortly before he turned 50 6 He later stated he decided to retire as there were few roles he could dance at that age 15 He then shifted his focus to the National Dance Institute 1 In 1986 he appeared in the Disney film Off Beat with his character teaching dance to New York City police 9 In 1994 he co founded the National Dance Institute New Mexico NDI New Mexico with Catherine Oppenheimer 16 Awards and honors editHonors d Amboise received include the MacArthur Fellowship in 1990 the Kennedy Center Honors in 1995 the National Medal of Arts in 1998 8 and the Fred and Adele Astaire Awards in 2011 10 He also received the Heinz Award 17 the New York Governor s Award and honorary doctorate degrees from Boston College and Montclair State University 9 Personal life editIn 1956 d Amboise married Carolyn George a New York City Ballet dancer and later a photographer 10 They had four children including Christopher a dancer and choreographer and Charlotte also a dancer and actress Carolyn George died in 2009 18 Death editD Amboise died at his home in Manhattan on May 2 2021 following complications from a stroke at the age of 86 1 References edit a b c d e f g h i j k Sulcas Roslyn May 3 2021 Jacques d Amboise an Early Male Star of City Ballet Dies at 86 The New York Times Who s who in the world 1 1971 72 1970 Marquis Who s Who 1970 ISBN 9780837911014 Craine Debra Mackrell Judith August 19 2010 The Oxford Dictionary of Dance OUP Oxford p 11 ISBN 978 0199563449 a b d Amboise Jacques 2011 I Was a Dancer Knopf Doubleday Publishing pp 280 281 ISBN 9780307595232 Mason Francis 1991 I Remember Balanchine Recollections of the Ballet Master by Those who Knew Him Doubleday pp 171 176 ISBN 9780385266109 a b Macaulay Alastair March 6 2011 Balanchine s Golden Boy Looks Back The New York Times Jacobs Laura March 5 2011 An American Apollo The Wall Street Journal a b c d e Halzack Sarah May 3 2021 Jacques d Amboise exuberant star of the New York City Ballet dies at 86 The Washington Post a b c d Dance Legend Jacques d Amboise Passes Away at 86 BroadwayWorld May 3 2021 a b c Looseleaf Victoria May 15 2011 A new chapter for Jacques d Amboise Los Angeles Times Noveck Jocelyn May 3 2021 Dancer Jacques d Amboise dead at 86 ABC News Dunning Jennifer January 5 1978 D Amboise Named Dean at Purchase The New York Times O Connor John J October 25 1983 TV Bay City Blues Begins on NBC The New York Times He Makes Me Feel Like Dancin 1982 The New York Times Archived from the original on October 14 2012 Noveck Jocelyn April 27 2018 Jacques d Amboise at 83 Still making kids feel like dancing AP News Nott Robert May 6 2021 Pied Piper of dance in New Mexico created a legacy in Santa Fe Santa Fe New Mexican Retrieved January 7 2022 Jacques d Amboise The Heinz Award Retrieved May 3 2021 Kisselgoff Anna February 12 2009 Carolyn George City Ballet Soloist Dies at 81 The New York Times External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jacques d Amboise dancer Official website National Dance Institute Jacques d Amboise at IMDb Jacques d Amboise at AllMovie Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Jacques d 27Amboise dancer amp oldid 1218506870, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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