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E. Virginia Williams
E. Virginia Williams (March 12, 1914 – May 8, 1984) was an American professional ballet choreographer, teacher, and founder of the New England Civic Ballet which became the Boston Ballet, the first professional ballet company in New England.
Born Ellen Virginia Williams in 1914 in Salem, Massachusetts, E. Virginia Williams spent her childhood in Melrose, MA. Her father is a descendant of Roger Williams, founder of Rhode Island, and her mother descended from settlers who landed on the boat after the Mayflower.
To aid Williams in overcoming her shyness at a young age, her parents sent Williams to her first dance lesson at the age of 5. Williams trained in many styles of dance, from ballet to modern, interpretive dance, and mime. She danced briefly with the Boston Opera company, however her father objected to her performing and Williams switched to teaching dance instead.
Williams began teaching ballet at the age of 16, and opened studios across Massachusetts including the Boston School of Ballet.
Williams cited a reason for founding her ballet companies as wanting her greater Boston area students to be able to find jobs without having to move out of the area.
In 1958 she founded the New England Civic Ballet. George Balanchine saw early company performances and acted as an artistic advisor to the company, recommending the company for a Ford Foundation grant that resulted with the founding of the Boston Ballet in 1963, the first professional ballet company in New England.
Williams undertook many roles after founding the Boston Ballet company, from teaching classes to choreographing performances, sewing costumes, and taking tickets on show dates.
The first Boston Ballet performance was June 29, 1964, at the Boston Arts Festival, an arts festival held in the Boston Public Garden.
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E. Virginia Williams
E. Virginia Williams (March 12, 1914 – May 8, 1984) was an American professional ballet choreographer, teacher, and founder of the New England Civic Ballet which became the Boston Ballet, the first professional ballet company in New England.
Born Ellen Virginia Williams in 1914 in Salem, Massachusetts, E. Virginia Williams spent her childhood in Melrose, MA. Her father is a descendant of Roger Williams, founder of Rhode Island, and her mother descended from settlers who landed on the boat after the Mayflower.
To aid Williams in overcoming her shyness at a young age, her parents sent Williams to her first dance lesson at the age of 5. Williams trained in many styles of dance, from ballet to modern, interpretive dance, and mime. She danced briefly with the Boston Opera company, however her father objected to her performing and Williams switched to teaching dance instead.
Williams began teaching ballet at the age of 16, and opened studios across Massachusetts including the Boston School of Ballet.
Williams cited a reason for founding her ballet companies as wanting her greater Boston area students to be able to find jobs without having to move out of the area.
In 1958 she founded the New England Civic Ballet. George Balanchine saw early company performances and acted as an artistic advisor to the company, recommending the company for a Ford Foundation grant that resulted with the founding of the Boston Ballet in 1963, the first professional ballet company in New England.
Williams undertook many roles after founding the Boston Ballet company, from teaching classes to choreographing performances, sewing costumes, and taking tickets on show dates.
The first Boston Ballet performance was June 29, 1964, at the Boston Arts Festival, an arts festival held in the Boston Public Garden.