Judith Jamison, the legendary choreographer who died last fall at 81, had the extraordinary ability to use dance to honor the past, embrace the present, and boldly envision the future.
Students enrolled in the Ailey/Fordham BFA program did the same in an annual benefit dance concert on March 3.
“Ms. Jamison’s presence lives on through her strength and tenacity documented in every photograph lining our halls and through each person who has had a connection with Ailey,” said Layla Barber, a junior in the Ailey/Fordham program at Fordham College at Lincoln Center, at a pre-performance reception.
“She tirelessly continued Mr. Ailey’s vision that dance is for everyone.”
Barber is a recipient of the Denise Jefferson Memorial Scholarship, funded by proceeds from the annual benefit concert and presented to an Ailey/Fordham BFA junior and senior each year. She spoke to guests before the event’s dance program, where she performed the first dance of the evening.
She marveled at the fact that in 2026, she’ll earn dual bachelor’s degrees in dance and environmental science.
“Because of this program, I’ve been able to perform at legendary venues inside and outside of New York City, all while being able to study methods to correct the environmental damage our Earth is facing,” she said.
Reuniting with the Best of the Best
The evening brought together several successful Ailey/Fordham alumni, including Jaryd Farcon, a 2020 graduate now dancing with the New Jack Cole Dancers. He said the evening was a must-atttend.
“The Ailey/Fordham program is one of the best in the world. There’s nothing like it,” said Farcon, whose sister, Jhailyn, is currently enrolled in the BFA program and dancing on Broadway.
“When you just see a dancer walk into a space, maybe at another audition, you can just tell they’re an Ailey dancer because they’re so wonderful, they adapt to any type of dance, and they really stand out.”
Maya Addie, a 2021 graduate and leader of the BFA alumni affinity chapter who currently dances with the Rockettes, agreed.
“I remember myself as a freshman performing in this benefit concert, and it was really special. So to come back and be able to support the dancers when you know this is only the beginning for them is really cool,” she said.
Continuing a Tradition of Excellence
Fordham President Tania Tetlow connected the students’ dedication and passion to the legacy that Jamison created during five decades as a dancer and artistic director at the Ailey company.
She called the language of dance that Jamison passed on to students a “more powerful form of communicating than language itself.”
“That work has never been more critical than it is today for building empathy for the human experience,” she said.
“Ailey teaches our students these skills, and an unbelievable level of discipline and endurance and a willingness to expect nothing less than excellence from themselves.”
Melanie Person, director of the Ailey/Fordham BFA program, said all seven of the dances performed that evening were chosen because they were ones that celebrated Jamison’s legacy.
“It was a tremendous loss for us in the dance world when we learned of her passing in November, but her spirit looms large, and her presence is felt in this building,” Person said.
“She loved the students so much. She’d watch classes and offer a few words of advice to them. She’d participate in our orientation. So this is just the school’s way of celebrating her tonight and probably the rest of eternity.”
