World-renowned ballerina and current Artistic Director Virginia Johnson came to the Black Media Matters Studio to join The Day With Trae and discuss her legendary career with The Dance Theatre of Harlem and their current show, Sounds of Hazel. The show is inspired by the work of legendary Jazz musician Hazel Scott and takes place at the Paramount on November 5th. Johnson is a founding member of internationally touring company, and she brought her messages of empowerment and artistry to the show. You can watch the full interview above.

You can purchase tickets for the show here.

About Virginia Johnson

A founding member of Dance Theatre of Harlem, Virginia Johnson was one of its principal ballerinas over a career that spanned nearly 30 years. After retiring in 1997, Ms. Johnson went on to found Pointe Magazine and was editor-in chief for 10 years. A native of Washington, D.C., Ms. Johnson began her training with Therrell Smith. She studied with Mary Day at the Washington School of Ballet and graduated from the Academy of the Washington School of Ballet. She went on to be a University Scholar in the School of the Arts at New York University before joining Dance Theatre of Harlem. Virginia Johnson is universally recognized as one of the great ballerinas of her generation and is perhaps best known for her performances in the ballets Giselle, A Streetcar Named Desire, and Fall River Legend. She has received such honors as a Young Achiever Award from the National Council of Women, Outstanding Young Woman of America Award, the Dance Magazine Award, a Pen and Brush Achievement Award, the Washington Performing Arts Society’s 2008-2009 Pola Nirenska Lifetime Achievement Award and the 2009 Martha Hill Fund Mid-Career Award.

Photos by Jordan Somers