TED Talks

Revelations from a lifetime of dance | Judith Jamison and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

Visit to get our entire library of TED Talks, transcripts, translations, personalized Talk recommendations and more. “Dance can elevate our human experience beyond words,” says Judith Jamison, artistic director emerita of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. In between performances of excerpts from Alvin Ailey’s classic works “Revelations” and “Cry,” Jamison reflects on the enduring…

Published

6 years ago

November 5, 2019

CYBER TECH TV

Visit to get our entire library of TED Talks, transcripts, translations, personalized Talk recommendations and more.

“Dance can elevate our human experience beyond words,” says Judith Jamison, artistic director emerita of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. In between performances of excerpts from Alvin Ailey’s classic works “Revelations” and “Cry,” Jamison reflects on the enduring power of dance to transform history into art that thrills audiences around the world. (Performances by Solomon Dumas, Samantha Figgins and Constance Stamatiou)

The TED Talks channel features the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world’s leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less). Look for talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design — plus science, business, global issues, the arts and more. You’re welcome to link to or embed these videos, forward them to others and share these ideas with people you know. For more information on using TED for commercial purposes (e.g. employee learning, in a film or online course), submit a Media Request here:

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26 Comments

Crimson Lotus1122

November 5, 2019 at 11:31 pm

What a beautiful display! Bravo on the dancers ????????❤????????‍♀️

Reply
Sandie Beach

November 5, 2019 at 11:34 pm

Revelations is always new each time you see it performed. ????

Reply
Randomness 101

November 5, 2019 at 11:56 pm

Im so early no one has liked anyone’s comment. And there’s only 24

Reply
Susan Doerr

November 6, 2019 at 12:11 am

Dance can be a wonderful healthy spiritual experience or not. Thank you for sharing. I dance at home to all types of music from all over the world if I like it.

Reply
Christina Suchon

November 6, 2019 at 12:29 am

I needed this

Reply
Kira Kjear

November 6, 2019 at 12:31 am

Dance is how I share my soul with the world. No other form of communication quite like it ????????????

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- Vierotchka
  
  November 6, 2019 at 2:12 pm
  
  Likewise music which is a global language. 🙂
  
  Reply
Richard Comeau

November 6, 2019 at 12:32 am

@TED thank you for your service. It is invaluable.

Reply
Luisa

November 6, 2019 at 1:04 am

Immediately I was into this

Reply
ali faris

November 6, 2019 at 1:31 am

شكرا لكم ترجموا لنا الفيديو إلى اللغة العربية

Reply
Lynchie

November 6, 2019 at 2:02 am

fantastic performances!

Reply
Kimberyote3

November 6, 2019 at 2:10 am

Yep. That’s all black people are able to do is dance. They can’t build a civilization. But they CAN dance! Got it! Awesome!

Reply
Chinese Handwriting

November 6, 2019 at 2:14 am

I wish I know how to dance…

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曾Hao

November 6, 2019 at 2:26 am

cool

Reply
BRIGHT MINDS

November 6, 2019 at 2:33 am

Don’t live in the past, just learn from it.

Reply
vidya kakaiya

November 6, 2019 at 2:54 am

????

Reply
Mr Rejaul Karim

November 6, 2019 at 3:10 am

Good

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Blue Moon

November 6, 2019 at 5:04 am

… seeing Judith Jamison decades ago with the Alvin Ailey Dance Troupe in the Houston Jones Hall was one of the most inspiring moments for me as a dancer myself… another favorite was Sea Shadow by Robert Joffrey Ballet Company …

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Miss Honeydew

November 6, 2019 at 6:16 am

Awesome! Inspiring ????????

Reply
Kongolox

November 6, 2019 at 1:16 pm

No.

Reply
Cynthia Smitherman

November 6, 2019 at 1:58 pm

That is one of the best I’ve seen. I love how the dance tells a story

Reply
山河

November 6, 2019 at 2:49 pm

Dance show me the energy ,alive and spirit.

Reply
あか16

November 6, 2019 at 3:21 pm

これテッドかよwww

Reply
reda'h MEG

November 6, 2019 at 8:31 pm

Traduction arabe plz

Reply
reda'h MEG

November 6, 2019 at 8:31 pm

Arabe

Reply
Annmarie Emmanuel

November 8, 2019 at 7:06 am

I miss NYC and the Alvin Ailey Dance Co….Thanks for all those wonderful performances!

Reply

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The TED Talks channel features talks, performances and original series from the world’s leading thinkers and doers. Subscribe to our channel for videos on Technology, Entertainment and Design — plus science, business, global issues, the arts and more. Visit to get our entire library of TED Talks, transcripts, translations, personalized talk recommendations and more.

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