Former NYC Ballet principal dancer Violette Verdy, 82, dies
(AP) — Violette Verdy, principal dancer for New York City Ballet for 20 years and former artistic director of the Paris Opera Ballet and Boston Ballet, has died, the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music announced. Verdy's assistant, Robin Allen, confirmed the ballerina died Monday in Bloomington after a brief illness, Jacobs School spokeswoman Dana Navarro said Tuesday. Verdy worked as a teacher and coach with more than 150 professional companies and schools worldwide.