“On behalf of the Charles Moore Dance Theatre, it is with a broken heart that we announce the passing of Ella Thompson Moore, Artistic Director of the Charles Moore Dance Theatre, Dance Matriarch to many, Queen to all. Ella went to join her beloved husband, Charles Moore on Tuesday May 13, days before her 96th birthday. Arrangements will be posted when finalized. Please keep her son Anthony and grandson Jalen, her dancers and drummers in prayer. Her presence, grace, wit and warmth will be greatly missed. We are eternally grateful for the impact she had in our lives.”- Faye Moore (with permission of the family)
On Sunday, November 8, 2015 at 1pm Clark Center NYC held Tea with Ella: An Intimate Conversation with Ella Thompson Moore. Moore was the Artistic Director of Charles Moore Dance Theatre as well as former LIU dance instructor. The conversation proceeded a performance celebrating 40th Anniversary of Charles Moore Dance Theater. This event was presented by Clark Center NYC and Kumble’s Rodney Hurley with Zita Allen.
Tea with Ella: An Intimate Conversation with Ella Thompson Moore
Moore has the distinction of appearing in Alvin Ailey’s first concert at the 92nd Street Y, NYC in 1958. She began her dance training in Washington, D.C. While attending Howard University and received a scholarship to the Katherine Dunham School in New York City where she studied dance with Syvilla Fort, Walter Nicks, where she met and married Charles Moore in 1960.
-Ella Thompson Moore
She appeared in ten Broadway shows. As a member of The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, she performed in the U.S., the Far East, and Australia. Ella later performed with Dances and Drums of Africa, her husband’s company, in addition to assuming teaching and management duties and holding company rehearsals.
