Sylvia del Villard (February 28, 1928 â€" February 28, 1990), was an
actress, dancer, choreographer and Afro-Puerto Rican activist.Del
Villard was born in Santurce, a section of San Juan, Puerto Rico. As a
young child, Del Villard would entertain her parents, Agustin and
Marcoline Del Villard, with her dances. Her family considered her very
talented and she was also a good student at school. She received her
primary and secondary education in Santurce and when she graduated
from high school the government of Puerto Rico awarded her with a
scholarship to attend college.Del Villard studied Sociology and
Anthropology at Fisk University in Tennessee. However, Del Villard had
to deal with the anti-black discrimination which was rampant in the
southern regions of the United States at that time. She returned to
Puerto Rico and enrolled in the University of Puerto Rico where she
earned her degree.Upon graduating, Del Villard traveled to New York
City and enrolled in the City College of New York. It was during this
period that she was to develop a passion and love for Africa. She
joined the song and ballet group called the "Africa House". She was
also able to trace her African roots to the Yoruba people of Nigeria.
Del Villard took dance and voice lessons with Leo Braun at the
Metropolitan Opera.
actress, dancer, choreographer and Afro-Puerto Rican activist.Del
Villard was born in Santurce, a section of San Juan, Puerto Rico. As a
young child, Del Villard would entertain her parents, Agustin and
Marcoline Del Villard, with her dances. Her family considered her very
talented and she was also a good student at school. She received her
primary and secondary education in Santurce and when she graduated
from high school the government of Puerto Rico awarded her with a
scholarship to attend college.Del Villard studied Sociology and
Anthropology at Fisk University in Tennessee. However, Del Villard had
to deal with the anti-black discrimination which was rampant in the
southern regions of the United States at that time. She returned to
Puerto Rico and enrolled in the University of Puerto Rico where she
earned her degree.Upon graduating, Del Villard traveled to New York
City and enrolled in the City College of New York. It was during this
period that she was to develop a passion and love for Africa. She
joined the song and ballet group called the "Africa House". She was
also able to trace her African roots to the Yoruba people of Nigeria.
Del Villard took dance and voice lessons with Leo Braun at the
Metropolitan Opera.
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