Jacques D'Amboise was two totems to me.

First: as a very tiny student at SAB, he was the dashing, handsome ballet star I got to see up close as he came in for class. And with my most favorite ballerina, Allegra Kent, he was the sexy, alluring male who danced Afternoon of a Faun which made me think that ballet was not just a profession but a calling.

Second: at WNET as a producer, my office was next to Emile Ardolino's. At that time Emile and I had big dreams about Hollywood. Emile took the first step: he produced and directed He Makes Me Feel Like Dancin", about Jacques’s National Dance Institute, which won Emile his first Oscar. (He went on to direct Dirty Dancing among many others) The film is still the joyous, upbeat ode to Jacques’s enormous energy, spirit, guidance, leadership, outreach and just plain exuberance. ( look closely and you’ll see a fab Janet Eilber now head of the @marthagrahamdance as the leading lady) I got to meet Jacques then, and a few other times, he just oozed humanity. You can catch the 23 minute version on You Tube. Please do and light up your day.

The ballet world and the whole world will be the poorer for his loss. He didn't only make you feel like dancin', he made you feel, period.