Sally Rousse has built a distinguished, multi-faceted life in dance including performing, teaching, directing, curating, writing, with noteworthy honors and grants. In 1990 Rousse co-founded James Sewell Ballet (JSB) in New York City and in three years helped to transform it from a pick-up company to a full-time organization in the Twin Cities where she has made her home for the past 20 years. In addition to her work with JSB she serves on several Boards and panels, awarding grants, fellowships, honors and opportunities in the performing arts that help shape the local and global cultural environment. In addition to performing many roles in the classical and Balanchine repertoires as a leading dancer with the Royal Ballet of Flanders and Ballet Chicago, Rousse has also danced works by Maurice Béjart, Jiri Kylian, and over 100 new works created on her by contemporary choreographers. The Cowles Center and JSB are honoring Rousse with a tribute and retrospective as she launches an inedependent dance-making career. She is co-creating Kom Hit! – a roving dance/theater piece for the American Swedish Institute in Summer ’14. Rousse continues to perform and make dances with several other diverse dance companies in the Twin Cities and New York.