E. Virginia Williams

E. Virginia Williams (March 12, 1914 – May 8, 1984) was an American professional ballet choreographer, teacher, and founder of the New England Civic Ballet which became the Boston Ballet, the first professional ballet company in New England.

Early life Born Ellen Virginia Williams in 1914 in Salem, Massachusetts, E. Virginia Williams spent her childhood in Melrose, MA. Her father is a descendant of Roger Williams, founder of Rhode Island, and her mother descended from settlers who landed on the boat after the Mayflower.

To aid Williams in overcoming her shyness at a young age, her parents sent Williams to her first dance lesson at the age of 5.

Boston Ballet Williams undertook many roles after founding the Boston Ballet company, from teaching classes to choreographing performances, sewing costumes, and taking tickets on show dates.

The first Boston Ballet performance was June 29, 1964, at the Boston Arts Festival, an arts festival held in the Boston Public Garden.

The Boston Ballet Company held their first season in 1965 with 20 dancers and approximately 30 musicians from the Boston Symphony. Williams stressed contemporary composers and choreographers in the inaugural season.

Williams won the Dance Magazine Award in 1976, along with contemporaries Suzanne Farrell and Michael Bennett.

Williams transferred directorship of the Boston Ballet to Violette Verdy in 1982. Williams served as an artistic advisor to the company while Verdy directed the company.

Legacy After Williams’ death on May 8, 1984, the Boston Ballet dedicated the May 17, 1984, World Premiere performance of Choo-San Goh’s Romeo and Juliet to her.

Boston Ballet continues to honor female choreographers with their ChoreograpHER Initiative, a multiyear program established in 2018 to develop women as choreographers.