WASHINGTON, Sept. 8 (UPI) -- First lady Michelle Obama welcomed an audience of students to the White House Tuesday for a program of performances by several top U.S. dance companies.

The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, the Paul Taylor Dance Company, the company of Broadway's "Billy Elliot: The Musical," and The Washington Ballet performed, along with Super Cr3w and the New York City Ballet, as the White House paid tribute to Judith Jamison -- who is scheduled to retire in 2001 after more than 20 years as artistic director of the Ailey company.

"This amazing woman, born in Philadelphia, she was onstage in New York with the American Ballet Theater by her early 20s," the first lady told the audience.

"After just one year, she joined the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, where her shooting star connected with Alvin's.

"And their artistry continues to shine brightly to this very day."

Jamison has been awarded the National Medal of the Arts and is an Emmy winner and a Kennedy Center Honors recipient.

The audience included about 90 young dance students who attended a workshop at the White House Tuesday.