Mercedes Ellington
American dancer, choreographer, art director, and educator
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mercedes Ellington (born 1939) is an American dancer, choreographer, art director, and educator.
Mercedes Ellington | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1939 New York City |
| Alma mater | Juilliard School |
| Occupations | Dancer, Choreographer |
Ellington was born in New York City. She is the daughter of Mercer Ellington and the granddaughter of Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington.[1] She attended the Juilliard School graduating in 1960. Her teachers included José Limón and Martha Graham.[2] In 1963 Ellington became a member of the June Taylor Dancers. She was the first Black member of the company, appearing regularly on The Jackie Gleason Show.[3] Ellington was one of the choreographers of the musical Sophisticated Ladies which premiered in 1981 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre.[4]
She founded the Duke Ellington Center for the Arts in 2004.[3][5]