Jacob's Pillow Dance

Company. After dancing in George Balanchine's Geneva Ballet (1973-1975) and with the Merce Cunningham Dance Company (1976-1981), she developed a unique choreographic style. Christened by Vanity Fair as 'Punk Ballerina', in 1984, she began choreography with Ne in 1978 and Drastic-Classicism in 1980. In Italy, Armitage served as director of the 45-member Ballet of Florence (1996-2000); the Venice Biennale of Contemporary Dance (2001); and worked as resident choreographer for the Ballet de Lorraine in France (2000-2005). She has contributed to the repertoires of major dance companies throughout Europe and North America. Karole Armitage, known for her collaborations with important contemporary artists, also directs opera and has worked for pop stars Madonna and Michael Jackson. She recently was nominated for a Tony choreography award for the Broadway production of Hair and awarded France's most prestigious award, Commandeur dans L'ordre des Arts et des Lettres.