Unlike any other choreographer, Edward Morgan manages to exhibit versatility, originality and accessibility while maintaining integrity and commitment to his high level of artistry.

Noted particularly for classical ballet, his styles also include jazz, tap, opera, musical theatre, and modern dance.

In a career far too lengthy to list, Mr. Morgan, a former principal dancer of the original New York City Joffrey Ballet, had danced specific lead and solo roles for Presidents Reagan and Bush, at The Kennedy Center, and Lincoln Center, and performed for Henry Kissinger at The International House affiliated with Columbia University.

Mr. Morgan also raised awareness about the AIDS epidemic with Mayor Koch in a Public Service Announcement shown in movie theaters throughout New York City (see video page), Mayor Dinkins for the Board of Education, and Washington DC for the We Love DC Gala at Constitution Hall where Morgan danced a special solo for Mayor Pratt. 

His hometown San Antonio and Margaret King Stanley, director of the San Antonio Performing Arts Association, now with Opera San Antonio, commissioned the ballet Jamboree for the Joffrey Ballet, in which he danced the “Lone Star Gent.” (see archives, San Antonio-Joffrey)

Mr. Morgan received the Alcalde from Mayor Henry Cisneros. The Alcalde is prepared for dignitaries and officials visiting the City, and names the individual honorary Mayor of La Villita (the original San Antonio).

San Antonio Councilman Walter Martinez and State Representative Lou Nelle Sutton honored Morgan, recognizing him as an alcalde, and the Edward Morgan Scholarship Fund was created for Sam Houston High School by Louis Fields. 

Morgan also received the Emissary of the Muses from Mayor Phil Hardberger. Emissary of the Muses certificate is prepared for top individuals visiting San Antonio in the fields of entertainment and the arts. Morgan was also invited to choreograph The San Antonio Festival’s Bernstein Mass and The San Antonio Symphony’s tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. – Symphony In Black.

Mr. Morgan exhibited a particularly fresh and innovative choreographic skill and advanced to the position of director of the Joffrey II, where he received accolades on his unprecedented choreography.

The following information is very important, please take note!

Ollie Hazley is a friend of Edward Morgan, but Edward Morgan was the choreographer, NOT Ollie Hazley of the ballet Solo de Sonata Opus 22, which received a great review from Jack Anderson of The New York Times, “a choreographic bonbon.”

Edith d’Addario, director of the Joffrey Ballet School, was concerned that the critics might become hypercritical because Edward Morgan was making history, as an artistic director of the Joffrey Second Company, by choreographing so many ballets on one program.
So Ms. d’Addario had him use a different name for the choreography of his ballet. She explained to Edward, “sometimes you have to do these things to protect yourself.”

Edward Morgan was the first black director in the history of the Joffrey Ballet, and the creator of the Joffrey Ballet School Jazz Program.

“Morgan set four couples kicking and gliding with remarkable sophistication.” The New York Times

Ever so versatile, Mr. Morgan became the choreographer of the internationally successful television dance show Club MTV. Morgan created over fifty original works performed on the show, and at live events including MTV Spring Break, I Want My MTV, and Macy’s MTV Spectacular. Edward Morgan was the creator of the Club MTV Fashion Dancers.

Always a risk taker, Morgan took MTV to uncharted territory by bringing stars of the original New York City Joffrey Ballet to perform on MTV, now making history again, the first choreographer to bring ballet to MTV.

Therefore, in the late 80’s and early 90’s Morgan merged ballet with hip-hop and jazz. This was the beginning of a new style of dance that influenced choreographers in film, television, and dance videos, that is widely imitated today! (see video page, Club MTV)

“Morgan’s performance gives just the right brilliance and intensity.” Clive Barnes, The New York Post

In Los Angeles, Mr. Morgan danced with the Joffrey Ballet at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion to critical acclaim, and was invited to perform the solo Touch Me, on The Arsenio Hall Show in Hollywood. Also while in Hollywood Mr. Morgan choreographed for classic fine artists Marilyn McCoo and Al Jarreau, and was frequently a choreographer on the famed television show Star Search which led him back to New York City for the opera The Jewel Box, directed by Theodore Mann, and Carnegie Hall for the tribute to Antonio Carlos Jobim, and the Lincoln Center Out of Doors Mass For The 21st Century by Carman Moore. (see video page)

Even after leaving the Joffrey Ballet for several years Gerald Arpino called upon Morgan to perform Touch Me throughout the US and Europe. Because of his continued outstanding performances, he was given the ballet Touch Me to perform at anytime he wanted, and his image was used to create a sculpture by Caryl Picker, that was unveiled at the Heidi Neuhoff Gallery on Madison Avenue, later purchased for the lobby of the Vista Hotel at the World Trade Center which was sadly destroyed on 9/11. 

“spirited classical ballet purity” The New York Times

Opportunity presenting itself abroad, Morgan became an Artist-In-Residence in Paris, France, where he performed at Le Bataclan, produced by Raphael Didjaman, danced a spirited solo with the International Gospel Festival, and performed at the Théâtre des Champs Elysées. His sensitive choreography, with children from Fossés-Jean Cultural Center in Colombes, to the music of Mozart, performed at UNESCO, and filmed by French Television, and produced and directed by Joseph Alexander. (see video page)

“a magical encounter took place: one does not speak French, others not American. Hundreds of spectators to the Avant-Scène could savor the moment where dancing and music are freed from the differences in language, social status, skills for prposer a small state of grace.” Patrick Chaimovitch, Municipal Councillor of Colombes, France

Marie Artesi, director of the Cultural Affairs Community Arts in New York City was inspired by Edward Morgan. This sent the company dancing throughout the boroughs of New York City and commissioned a program for underserved Bronx youth, which was chosen as NY1’s New Yorker of the Week. 

From 1994 to 2010, Edward Morgan an ICON in the New York City Gay Pride Parade, lead the march down 5th Avenue, high stepping, and tossing his baton 5 stories high! Edward Morgan was the first choreographer to bring dance to the AIDS-Dance-A-Thon, and brought the Joffrey Ballet School Dancers together with principals from American Ballet Theatre to perform for the Stonewall 25th Anniversary Celebration for Human Rights with guest speaker Bea Arthur.  

In 2014 through 2018 Alexander created Ballet For The Homeless in which Morgan choreographed singers, actors, and dancers to raise money for The Church of the Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen. (see video page, Ballet For The Homeless)

Edward Morgan before moving to New York City

Edward Morgan received scholarships from Leon Danielian for the American Ballet Theatre School, and Colleen Neary for the School Of American Ballet.

His father said, “You are my only child, you cannot go all the way to New York by yourself this soon.” Morgan’s stepmother (Dean of Arts – St. Phillip’s College), then sought out teachers for him in Texas.

Patricia Delleney – Ballet Arts School Of San Antonio.

Directors of the Manhattan Festival Ballet, Ron Sequoio and James DeBolt, were then teaching at the San Antonio Hemisphere. They privately worked with Edward, one-on-one for a year.

Then off to Fort Worth, Texas to study with Nancy Schaffenburg-Cross, who at age 16 was a soloist with Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo.

Then to Dallas, Texas where Edward was given a dance scholarship to El Centro College, where Arthur Mitchell of the Dance Theatre of Harlem was in charge of the program. Arlin Peltier director of the arts, and Mitchell both decided Morgan should go to New York to study at the Dance Theatre of Harlem. Mr. Peltier paid for Edward’s full scholarship to the Dance Theatre of Harlem, where later he became an apprentice.

Morgan was selected by famed choreographer Graciela Daniele to perform in the New York City Opera’s rendition of Naughty Marietta at Lincoln Center.

Edward Morgan was the first male dancer with the Dallas Black Dance Theatre. He also taught and choreographed on the company, and in the school.

Next, the Ann Etgen and Bill Atkinson duo danced everywhere, from the Royal Winnipeg Ballet in Canada, to Broadway in Carousel, My Fair Lady, and Brigadoon. Edward was trained under their tutelage and later placed as soloist in their company, the Dallas Metropolitan Ballet.

While in Dallas Edward Morgan was also coached privately by Nathalie Krassovska, former ballerina with Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo.

Morgan was a member of the ROTC, and won 2 gold medals and a silver in the Texas Dance Contest at the capitol in Austin. He was also in his high school theater ensemble and won numerous awards, and later became director of the theater ensemble, and also played piano and flute.

Morgan has an Associate’s Degree from El Centro College in Dallas, Texas, and taught ballet at The Alvin Ailey American Dance Center under the direction of Denise Jefferson.