After graduating from West Philadelphia High School in 1949, Frances Jimenez, a Philadelphia native, began training with Marion Cuyjet at the Judimar School of Dance in 1950. Jimenez’s classmates included Arthur Hall, Delores Brown, Ronald Platts, John Jones, and Ernest Parham. She also received training from Antony Tudor at the Philadelphia Ballet Guild.

Source:

Frances Jimenez, 87, former ballet dancer, The Philadelphia Tribune

More about Frances Jimenez

Frances Jimenez later danced with the New York Negro Ballet. The company disbanded while on tour in Europe, and Jimenez remained to continue her dance career, appearing on television and in films. Upon her return to the states, Jimenez worked in retail and earned her associate’s degree in drug and alcohol abuse.

Sources:

Frances Jimenez, 87, former ballet dancer, The Philadelphia Tribune
Marion Cuyjet: Black Ballet Pioneer

Written by Mad Crawford