Joan myers brown biography
- Joan Myers Brown (born 25 December 1931) is an.
- Joan Myers Brown is the founder of The Philadelphia Dance Company (PHILADANCO) The Philadelphia School of Dance Arts.
- Joan Myers Brown (affectionately known as “Aunt Joan” or “JB”) is the founder of The Philadelphia School of Dance Arts in 1960 and The Philadelphia Dance.
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There is a reason why Joan Myers Brown is affectionately referred to as “Aunt Joan.” She feels like home. To be specific, a black home. She embodies that beautiful complexity, the dichotomy of the feeling of curling into the safety of a warm embrace, and the disciplined requirement of standing up straight concomitantly. Anyone (adult or child) who encounters Aunt Joan is fully aware that she can soothe just as quickly as she can swat. She will praise you, “I am so proud of you, I knew you could do it,” and in the next breath, “Go wash your armpits, you stink.” She does not mince words in compassion or criticism. Her authenticity and candor, while intimidating at times, are just two of the characteristics that have made her an invaluable matriarch of the community, and a treasure to the the city of Philadelphia.
There is a reason why Joan Myers Brown is affectionately referred to as “Aunt Joan.” She feels like home. To be specific, a black home. She embodies that beautiful complexity, the dichotomy of the feeling of curling into the safety of a warm embrace, and the discipli
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Joan Myers Brown
E arly in her career, Brown went “where the money was,” touring as a member of dance revues for Cab Calloway, Pearl Bailey, and Sammy Davis, Jr. Yet, this was not the type of dancing she wanted to do. In 1960 Brown started her own dance school in West Philadelphia called the Philadelphia School of Dance Arts. The school grew quickly, attracting primarily African-American students, including many from low-income homes. Brown became frustrated as many of her most exceptional students quit or moved to New York City because Philadelphia lacked opportunities. So, in 1970 Brown and Mary Sherrill started the Philadelphia Dance Company, better known today as Philadanco, as a vehicle for professional success for minority dancers. At its outset the troupe consisted of 17 star pupils from her dance school. As artistic director and chief administrator, Brown was responsible for selecting and guiding the dancers and choreographers, raising funds and controlling expenses, and securing venues for performances. After one year of operation, the budget for her entire company was o •
Dance/USA Honors a Legend: Philadanco’s Joan Myers Brown
By Merilyn Jackson
If you ever met Joan Myers Brown, you’d know you met the epitome of glamour. She’s the elegantly 80, legendary impresario who founded The Philadelphia Dance Company (Philadanco!) in 1970. In 1988 she was a founder of the International Conference of Black Dance Companies and in 1991 she founded the International Association of Blacks in Dance, of which she is now an honorary chair. She may never have been celebrity enough to be chosen for the popular BlackGlama fur campaign, but she boldly wears fur, and would wither anyone with a stare if challenged.
Despite limited funding and not nearly enough local appreciation, Philadanco has toured the world for many years and Philadelphia considers Brown its greatest cultural ambassador. This decade has brought her and the company more local recognition and stability. In 2004, The Kimmel Center’s Perelman Theater gave Philadanco a permanent presence on the Avenue of the Arts where the troupe often sells out the house as dance company in residence. Among Brown’s ma
Dance/USA Honors a Legend: Philadanco’s Joan Myers Brown
By Merilyn Jackson
If you ever met Joan Myers Brown, you’d know you met the epitome of glamour. She’s the elegantly 80, legendary impresario who founded The Philadelphia Dance Company (Philadanco!) in 1970. In 1988 she was a founder of the International Conference of Black Dance Companies and in 1991 she founded the International Association of Blacks in Dance, of which she is now an honorary chair. She may never have been celebrity enough to be chosen for the popular BlackGlama fur campaign, but she boldly wears fur, and would wither anyone with a stare if challenged.
Despite limited funding and not nearly enough local appreciation, Philadanco has toured the world for many years and Philadelphia considers Brown its greatest cultural ambassador. This decade has brought her and the company more local recognition and stability. In 2004, The Kimmel Center’s Perelman Theater gave Philadanco a permanent presence on the Avenue of the Arts where the troupe often sells out the house as dance company in residence. Among Brown’s ma
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