Dance, Girl, Dance!

Many of you may not  be familiar with the name Janet Collins, but this was a "bad mamma jamma", as my momma would say.

Ms. Janet Collins was the first Black prima ballerina.  She performed Aida at  the New York Metropolitan Opera Company at the age of 34.

Ms. Collins was born in New Orleans, and grew up in Los Angeles. She wanted, desperately, to study ballet, but because she was Black was rejected by many dance classes. Determined, she refused to give up on her dream. She, eventually, found a private instructor. Although, rejected by the choreographer, Leo Massine, of the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, she didn't dare stop striving. She kept up that determined spirit and headed to Los Angeles to study under Katherine Dunham.

In the mid-1950's, Ms. Janet Collins left the spotlight to teach at the St. Joseph School for the Deaf in the Bronx. She died on May 28, 2003.

That was, indeed, a "bad mamma, jamma!" Mom, did you get that from a song?  I like it!