In Memoriam - Ballet Dancer Jennifer Alexander

The dance world lost one of its veteran members earlier this month when Alexander, 35, on her way back to New York after appearing in the Williamsport Civic Ballet's Nutcracker, was killed in a car accident.

Before joining the American Ballet Theatre's Corps de ballet in 1994, Alexander, a Calgary native, studied at the Alberta Ballet School and joined the company of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. She came to the US in 1993 to dance on Broadway in The Red Shoes. Amongst her most accomplished ABT moments were her roles as Bathilde in Giselle and Hermia in The Dream.

Alexander, a newlywed, is survived by her husband, who suffered injuries in the accident and is also a member of the Company. This week the ABT is dedicating all of its performances of The Nutcracker at The Kennedy Center to Alexander. The ABT has established the formation of The Jennifer Alexander Memorial Fund, which will be used to recognize a senior female dancer in the corps. To donate, go to abt.org.

http://www.geneschiavone.com/gallery/album02 (a photo album of Alexander in rehearsals and on stage)