Alvin AileyAlvin AileyAnesia WhiteAnesia White

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Alvin Ailey was born January Alvin Ailey was born January 5, 1931 in Rogers, Texas.5, 1931 in Rogers, Texas.

Alvin and his mother moved Alvin and his mother moved to Los Angeles, where he to Los Angeles, where he nurtured his interest in nurtured his interest in dance.dance.

He became a member of He became a member of Lester Horton’s company in Lester Horton’s company in 1950, and when his mentor 1950, and when his mentor died in 1953, Alvin was died in 1953, Alvin was chosen to take over as chosen to take over as director and choreographer.director and choreographer.

Alvin Ailey was a Alvin Ailey was a choreographer who founded choreographer who founded the the Alvin Ailey American Alvin Ailey American Dance TheaterDance Theater in 1958. in 1958.

It was a hugely popular, multi-It was a hugely popular, multi-racial modern dance racial modern dance ensemble that popularized ensemble that popularized modern dance around the modern dance around the world thanks to extensive world thanks to extensive world tours.world tours.

His most famous dance is His most famous dance is called Revelations, a called Revelations, a celebratory study of religious celebratory study of religious spirit.spirit.

Alvin Ailey received the Alvin Ailey received the Kennedy Center Honors in Kennedy Center Honors in 1989 and died a year later of 1989 and died a year later of AIDS.AIDS.

FactsFacts

Ailey moved to New York in 1954, where he Ailey moved to New York in 1954, where he studied dance with Martha Graham and studied dance with Martha Graham and Charles Weidman and acting.Charles Weidman and acting.

Typically Ailey’s work combines Jazz, Modern Typically Ailey’s work combines Jazz, Modern and African dance elements.and African dance elements.

He also choreographed a series of ballets to He also choreographed a series of ballets to music by Duke Ellington, notable “The music by Duke Ellington, notable “The River”(1970).River”(1970).

Interesting FactsInteresting Facts

Alvin Ailey performed in musicals comedies, and Alvin Ailey performed in musicals comedies, and dramatic shows in films and on television.dramatic shows in films and on television.

He created more than 100 dances, some of which He created more than 100 dances, some of which became very popular.became very popular.

Ailey received honorary doctorates from Ailey received honorary doctorates from Princeton University, Bard college, and Adelphi Princeton University, Bard college, and Adelphi University.University.

He racially integrated his formally all- black dance He racially integrated his formally all- black dance company in 1963 after encountering reverse company in 1963 after encountering reverse racism. racism.

Works:Works:•Blues SuiteBlues Suite

• Creations of the WorldCreations of the World• Roots of the BluesRoots of the Blues• Hermit’s SongHermit’s Song•The RiverThe River