Williamson, Liz

Professional dancer and dance teacher, Liz Williamson (1919-1996) was well respected for her many years as a dance educator, as well as her efforts to promote jazz dance.

Born in North Carolina, she attended Radcliffe College as an undergraduate. She also received a graduate degree in dance from New York University. Williamson (her married name) later studied various dance forms, including modern, with Charles Weidman, Hanya Holm, Martha Hill, Huapala, and Martha Graham, but her mentor in jazz dance was Luigi. As a dancer, she performed in musical revivals at the New York City Center during the 1950s, as well as in summer stock and television. Williamson also had a successful career as a solo dancer and a nightclub cabaret act. In 1958, she performed Blues Suite as a member of Alvin Ailey's first dance company. Williamson performed under several names, including: Elizabeth Williamson, Elizabeth Williams, Liz Williamson, and Liz Williams. In 1959, she joined the faculty of the Dalton School, where she remained into the 1970s. From the 1960s until her death, Williamson taught the methods and theory of jazz dance to dance students and dance teachers at classes and at festivals in the United States and in several foreign countries. Numerous students learned her methods of "Happy Dancing!" She also served as judge at several competitions and received many awards and honors from various dance organizations. In 1973, she became the first artist-in-residence at the Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, where she taught students jazz and choreographed The Many Faces of Jazz for 65 dancers. In 1979, she choreographed Shindig: The Sounds of the '60s on Stage for Downstairs at City Center. Williamson also wrote several articles on the history of jazz for Dance Magazine, as well as moderated or appeared on several panels on dance history and choreography.

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