Baltimore School for the Arts Alum and beloved faculty member Linda- Denise Fisher- Harrell announced last week that she will be stepping into a new role as the newly appointed Artistic Director of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. She is only the 4th person to lead the iconic company since it was founded in 1977 and plans on moving to Chicago with her family in the coming weeks.
Fisher-Harrell has been a constant force of good for the Baltimore dance community, serving as a long-time teacher and educator to the Baltimore School for the Arts dance department and as a professor at Towson University’s Department of Dance. The transition to Chicago however is not foreign to Fisher-Harrell. Upon finishing her training at The Juilliard School, she joined Hubbard Street at just 19 years old and remained in the company for three years before moving on to her illustrious 23-year career with The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
After what has been a difficult financial time for Hubbard Street and many dance companies in 2020, Fisher-Harrell will start fresh with a blank canvas for their upcoming 44th season. Her vision includes not only the revival of past work, but commissioning works by upcoming choreographers in the dance community. Her new leadership role marks a turning point in the company’s history, offering a fresh and innovative perspective. Though the BSA family and Baltimore community will miss her presence, we are beyond proud to see alumni like Fisher-Harrell reaching new heights within their own careers. She continues to model all of the traits we cherish most within the performing arts community… character, generosity, and leadership. Her impact on our students, foundation, and community is unmatched and we are certain that she will continue to make us proud.
