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Jacques d'Amboise (born July 28, 1934) is an American ballet dancer and choreographer. D'Amboise was born as Joseph Jacques Ahearn in Dedham, Massachusetts. He was a principal dancer with the New York City Ballet, where ballets were especially created for him by famous choreographer George Balanchine. He has also choreographed ballets for the New York City Ballet. As well as ballets, d'Amboise danced in films, including Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, where he played the part of Ephraim, one of the brothers—and Carousel (1956), where he danced the ballet role of the Starlight Carnival... MORE

Jacques d'Amboise (born July 28, 1934) is an American ballet dancer and choreographer. D'Amboise was born as Joseph Jacques Ahearn in Dedham, Massachusetts. He was a principal dancer with the New York City Ballet, where ballets were especially created for him by famous choreographer George Balanchine. He has also choreographed ballets for the New York City Ballet. As well as ballets, d'Amboise danced in films, including Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, where he played the part of Ephraim, one of the brothers—and Carousel (1956), where he danced the ballet role of the Starlight Carnival barker in Louise's Ballet. D'Amboise founded National Dance Institute in 1976, which has been teaching school children how to dance for the past 30 years. A documentary film (He Makes Me Feel Like Dancin' ) about Jacques d'Amboise and National Dance Institute won an Academy Award. The NDI program often combines music and art with studies of other cultures, histories, and literature, offering a unique and comprehensive performing arts experience, while fostering curiosity and a sense of achievement. D'Amboise has received many honors and awards, including 1990 MacArthur Fellowship, a Kennedy Center LESS