Ailey School Director Denise Jefferson Dies At Age 65
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The Ailey School is mourning the loss of its director Denise Jefferson, who passed away Saturday after a battle with ovarian cancer.
She was a member of the famed dance school's faculty since 1974 and became its director in 1984.
In addition to mentoring countless young dancers, she helped create an innovative degree program with Fordham University.
Co-workers say she was an amazing woman whose spirit will live in on in the school.
"We miss her dearly, but we know what we, we're standing in the light of the Center for Dance and we're smiling because she was a part of this building," said Ailey School Artistic Director Judith Jamison.
Jefferson began studying ballet at the age of eight in her home city of Chicago.
She began her professional career one year after earning a scholarship to the Martha Graham Center of Contemporary Dance.
Denise Jefferson was 65 years old.
She is survived by her daughter, sister and mother.
A memorial concert is being planned for a later date at the Ailey Studio.