Violette Verdy awarded France's highest decoration

The famed Violette Verdy, Artistic Advisor of The Rock School, has been named a Chevalier (Knight) in France's National Order of the Legion of Honor. The Order, which is France's highest decoration, was awarded by President M. Nicolas Sarkozy.

Ms. Verdy is the former, and first female, Artistic Director of the famed Paris Opera Ballet, as well as the former Artistic Director of the Boston Ballet. She was a principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre and New York City Ballet, as well as a guest star with the leading ballet companies of Europe. In New York City Ballet, she danced more than 25 principal roles. George Balanchine created roles for her in such ballets as Liebeslieder Waltzer, Jewels, Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux, second act Midsummer Night's Dream, and others. The recipient of numerous international awards, Ms. Verdy was invited by President Ford to dance at the White House on three separate occasions.

Ms. Verdy will receive the medal for her latest honor in Paris this June.