Ione Nash – Her Life, Her Art
by Arthur Hall Afro-American Dance Ensemble Alumni
A pioneer in the Dance Arts, Ione Nash has made a significant contribution to African dance in Philadelphia and the US through her belief that passionate expression of feeling is at the heart of great dance. In the late 50s, she joined the ensemble of Ghanaian dancer Saka Acquaye, who founded an African dance troupe in Philadelphia. She created her own company, the Ione Nash Dance Ensemble in 1960. Throughout the 60s, she danced as a partner with Arthur Hall in his own Afro-American Dance Ensemble. Turning 90 this year, Nash shares her unique experiences as a dancer, choreography and teacher, with insights on the history of African American dance in Philadelphia.