Mel Tomlinson

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Mel Tomlinson
Born(1954-01-03)January 3, 1954
John W. Ligon Senior High School
North Carolina School of the Arts
Carolina University of Theology
Occupation(s)Ballet dancer, modern dancer, minister
Career
Former groupsAgnes de Mille Dance Theatre
Dance Theatre of Harlem
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
New York City Ballet
North Carolina Dance Theatre
Boston Ballet

Mel Alexander Tomlinson (January 3, 1954 – February 5, 2019) was an American dancer and choreographer. At the time of his debut with the

Baptist
minister.

Early life

Tomlinson was born in

North Carolina School of the Arts.[2]

Career

Tomlinson began his professional dance career as a principal dancer with Agnes de Mille Heritage Dance Theater, which was founded at the North Carolina School of the Arts. In 1974 Tomlinson moved to New York City to join Dance Theatre of Harlem, choosing the company after also receiving invitations from Joffrey Ballet and Boston Ballet.[7] He was promoted to soloist with Dance Theatre of Harlem, performing in Manifestations, Swan Lake, and Scheherazade. He later took leave from Dance Theatre of Harlem to join Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater; dancing in Pas de Duke and The Time Before the Time After. Tomlinson joined the New York City Ballet[8][9] in 1981; at the time the only African-American dancer at the company.[2] He made his debut at New York City Ballet on November 27, 1981, in George Balanchine's Agon, dancing with Heather Watts.[10]

In 1983, Tomlinson received the first annual North Carolina Prize for outstanding work in the visual or performing arts.

Boston Conservatory of Music, Harvard University, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, the School at Greensboro Ballet, and Charlotte Ballet.[15]

Personal life

Tomlinson was openly

AIDS.[17] On December 8, 1998, Tomlinson was admitted into the House of Mercy, a ministry of the Catholic Sisters of Mercy in Belmont, North Carolina that assists people in the final stages of AIDS. Shirley Stowe, director of nursing at the House of Mercy, expected Tomlinson to die within six months after being admitted. He made a slow recovery and was eventually released from the house on September 10, 2000.[18]

Tomlinson received a Ph.D. from

Baptist minister.[5]

Tomlinson later lived in Charlotte, North Carolina,[8] and was a dance teacher and director of The Hallelujah Dance Corps at St. Paul Baptist Church.[18] He died on February 5, 2019, at the age of 65.[1][19]

References

  1. ^ a b Kourlas, Gia (February 13, 2019). "Mel A. Tomlinson, 65, Ballet Star and 'Agon' Interpreter, Dies". The New York Times. Archived from the original on February 15, 2019. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
  2. ^ a b c "Mel Tomlinson, Master of Ballet and Modern Dance - NC DNCR". www.ncdcr.gov. 27 November 2016.
  3. ^ "Great Performances: Free To Dance - Biographies - Mel Tomlinson". thirteen.org. Retrieved 2017-10-26.
  4. ^ "Pittsburgh Post-Gazette from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on January 11, 1996 · Page 36". newspapers.com. 11 January 1996. Retrieved 2017-10-26.
  5. ^ a b "Tomlinson, Mel A.: Rubber-Band Man - NCpedia". www.ncpedia.org.
  6. ^ "Ballet dancer Mel Tomlinson returns to Raleigh to teach students".
  7. ^ Luis Dominguez (16 May 2014). "Interview with Dr Mel Tomlinson" – via YouTube.
  8. ^ a b "An Exclusive Tour with Dr. Mel A. Tomlinson - Dance Theatre of Harlem: 40 Years of Firsts". The Gantt Center. 19 March 2016.
  9. ^ BWW News Desk. "Mel A.Tomlinson Joins Dance Legend's Ruth Page Tribute at St Luke's Theater, 3/23".
  10. ^ "CITY BALLET: TOMLINSON MAKES DEBUT IN 'AGON'". The New York Times. 29 November 1981.
  11. ^ "MEL TOMMLINSON WINS CAROLINA PRIZE". The New York Times. 1983-09-07. Retrieved 2017-10-26.
  12. ISSN 0362-4331
    . Retrieved 2019-08-04.
  13. ^ "Mountain Xpress | Asheville and Western North Carolina News | Local Matters – Arts, Food, Music and Movies". mountainx.com. 8 August 2016. Retrieved 2017-10-26.
  14. ^ "Mel Tomlinson". The Academy. Archived from the original on 2017-10-26. Retrieved 2017-10-26.
  15. ^ "Tomlinson, Mel A. - NCpedia". www.ncpedia.org.
  16. ^ "GRACEFUL SOUL RISING |". greensboro.com. 10 January 1996. Retrieved 2017-10-26.
  17. ^ "Successful dancer from Raleigh returns to teach students".
  18. ^ a b "2 Jesus Testimonies". 2jesus.org. Retrieved 2017-10-26.
  19. ^ Drabble, Jenny (February 8, 2019). "Pioneering ballet star with Winston-Salem, UNCSA ties, dies at age 65". Winston-Salem Journal. Retrieved February 8, 2019.
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