Josette Amiel

Josette Amiel (born 1930) has enjoyed a long career as a French ballerina, dance teacher and choreographer. After studying under Jeanne Schwarz, she made her debut at the in 1948, then enjoyed four years with the Opéra-Comique. She joined the Paris Opera Ballet in 1952, becoming a danseuse étoile in 1958. Amiel is remembered not only for excelling in classical works but for creating modern roles, for example in Serge Lifar's Chemin de Lumières and Flemming Flindt's La Leçon. After leaving the Paris Opera in 1972, she continued to dance until 1980 when she retired from the stage to teach at the Paris Opera Ballet. From 1986, she directed Harald Lander's Études for presentations at several different ballet companies. Amiel was honoured as a commander of the Legion of Honour in 2012.

Early life and education Born on 19 November 1930 in Vanves, a suburb of Paris, Josette Amiel was the daughter of two musicians. Her father was a violinist and her mother a pianist. In addition to learning to play the piano from an early age, she attended acrobatics courses given by Robert Quinault. His wife encouraged Amiel to join her dancing class. She went on to study at the Conservatoire de Paris under Jeanne Schwarz, winning the school's first prize in 1947. and as a commander of the Ordre national du Mérite in 2018.