New Orleans, Louisianna (March 7, 1917 -May 28, 2003) age 86 yrs

Janet Faye Collins was a ballet dancer, choreographer, and teacher. In 1951 Collins became the first Black prima ballerina to perform with the Metropolitan Opera Ballet in New York City. As such she broke one of the last major color barriers in classical ballet. She performed on Broadway, in films, and appeared often on television. She was one of the pioneers of Black ballet dancing. She was also one of the few classically trained Black dancers of her generation.