Three years ago they created the annual Ailey BFA benefit concert in honor of Denise Jefferson, a magnificent dancer and teacher, who sadly passed away of ovarian cancer. Denise was an inspiration to all the students and faculty who attended the program. She made the Ailey BFA program one of the top three dance/academic programs in the country, and one that has been incredibly successful in placing Ailey students in professional dance companies as well as giving these inspirational dancers a strong liberal arts education.
100% of the donations from the night go to a Denise Jefferson scholarship that would fund a BFA student in need who best incarnated Denise's vision, talents, discipline, and passion.