Claire Haywood | |
|---|---|
 Haywood in 1948 | |
| Born | Claire Helen Haywood May 23, 1916 |
| Died | September 23, 1978 (aged 62) |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Spelman College Howard University |
| Occupation | Ballet teacher |
| Organization(s) | Jones-Haywood School of Ballet Capitol Ballet Company |
Claire Helen Haywood (1916 – September 23, 1978) was an American ballet dancer and teacher, called a “grand dame of Black dance in Washington”.[1] With Doris W. Jones, she cofounded the Jones-Haywood School of Ballet in 1941 to give African American students the opportunity to study classical ballet. She also cofounded the Capitol Ballet Company and became its artistic director.