Norfolk’s Lorraine Graves, a trailblazing dancer and beloved teacher, dies at 66

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Norfolk native Lorraine Graves, a trailblazing African American ballerina who performed for presidents and royalty before a rewarding second career as a dance instructor, died recently at the age of 66.

Graves was best known for her nearly two-decade tenure as a ballerina with the Dance Theatre of Harlem. She was promoted to principal dancer with the company within a year, and to regisseur just a few years later under founder Arthur Mitchell.

“He pushed us to another level because it was said African Americans couldn’t do classical ballet. We dispelled that myth,” Graves told WAVY in an interview from 2020.

Previous: Former professional dancer encourages others to follow their dreams

The theatre called Graves a “dear and beloved friend” who will be greatly missed.

Note: The video above is from 2020.

“She is remembered for her striking stature, brilliant technique and commanding artistry as a celebrated principal dancer with Dance Theatre of Harlem, as well as for her skills as Ballet Master, teacher, and coach.”

Graves helped break barriers in other ways as well. At a commanding 5 feet 10 inches tall, she was deemed by some as too tall to be a ballerina.

“I met obstacles from the time I was little,” Graves said. “I was told ‘You’re too tall. You’re too this. You’re too that.’ No meant yes to me. No meant that I was not going to let anyone tell me no,” Graves said.

She would go on to travel the globe and perform for dignitaries such as South African President Nelson Mandela, Princess Diana and U.S. Presidents Clinton, Bush and Reagan.

She was also passionate about inspiring the next generation of performers, both locally and nationwide. Graves a longtime instructor at the Governor’s School for the Arts, Ballet Virginia, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, Todd Rosenlieb Dance and more.

“Giving back is what its all about,” she told WAVY in 2020.

The Graves Funeral Home in Norfolk, where Graves also served as secretary and treasurer, held a celebration of life for her on March 29. It had an array of speakers and a live ballet performance.

“She’s not only the reason I am where I am today, but she’s the reason dancers across the world are where they are today,” said Graves’ protégé Alicia Mae Holloway, who shared a touching story about how she met Graves when she was just 11 (her remarks start at 17:30 here).

“From that moment on I was her baby. Ms. Lorraine wasn’t just a teacher, she was my family … she always was there for me no matter what,” Holloway said.

Virginia State Senator Angelia Williams Graves, who’s married to Lorraine Graves’ brother Tommy, said after the service, “we laid to rest our Ballerina Extraordinaire.”

“Her career was incredible. Her reach and influence spanned continents. So many will miss her but to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. She is dancing with the angels now. Rest in Peace Lorraine,” Williams Graves wrote on Facebook.

Lorraine Graves’ cause of death has yet to be determined, her nephew Jason told the New York Times.

You can read her full obituary here, and view the service here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.