BalletX has received the largest gift in the history of its existence in a $7.4 million donation, writes Peter Dobrin for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

The donation was left by the late Joan DeJean. The former French literature and culture scholar, author, and longtime professor at the University of Pennsylvania, passed away last away last December at the age of 75.

Upon first appearing six or seven years ago, DeJean became a BalletX regular and indispensable member of its fanbase.

Prior to this new donation, BalletX had never received a gift even approaching $1 million.

Christine Cox, BalletX’s co-founder and artistic and executive director, had the chance to get to know DeJean and is grateful for the donation. It is also bittersweet.

In one moment, she feels “over the moon, excited for the future, and in the next I’m sad for the passing of my friend. It is a complicated experience of joy and loss,” she said.

Despite not being a dance expert herself, DeJean became attracted to BalletX because it draws on the training and aesthetics of classical ballet and blends those traditions with more contemporary dance genres.

“She was a deeply curious person and very knowledgeable about the arts on a broad spectrum,” Cox said of DeJean.

Read more about BalletX and the late philanthropist who gifted its largest-ever gift at The Philadelphia Inquirer.

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