Alvin Ailey

Alvin Ailey (1931-1989) was born in 1931 in Rogers, Texas and at age 11 moved to Los Angeles with his mother. He began his formal studies in dance in Los Angeles under Lester Horton in 1949 after being introduced by his friend Carmen de Lavallade. Horton mentored Ailey through the early parts of his career, and in 1953 when Horton passed away, Ailey took over of directorship of the Lester Horton Dance Theater and choreographed for the company. In 1954 he moved to New York to perform on Broadway, and he continued to choreograph after forming his own company the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1958. On December 1st, 1989 Ailey passed away at age 58. His company continues to perform his work and new choreographic works of other choreographers throughout the United States and world.

Company Website: www.alvinailey.org/about/people

New York Times Obituary 1989: www.nytimes.com/1989/12/02/obituaries/alvin-ailey-a-leading-figure-in-modern-dance-dies-at-58.html

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Categorized as: ARTIST, Choreographer, Dancer, Modern