Spotlight on: Alvin Ailey

Alvin Ailey is widely regarded as one of the keynote figures in American modern dance, having established his position throughout the world with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Ailey was born in 1931 in Texas: his experiences of life there went on to inspire some of his most significant works through his 'blood memories'. Ailey was introduced to dance aged 12 by the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo and the Katherine Dunham Dance Company, and his dance training began with Lester Horton’s classes. After Horton’s death in 1953, Ailey directed Lester Horton Dance Theater and went on to choreograph his own works. Ailey then studied dance with Martha Graham, Doris Humphrey and Charles Weidman, key figures in the development of American modern dance. Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater was founded in 1958, carrying out Ailey's vision to create a company to enrich the American modern dance heritage and preserve African-American culture Ailey made an extraordinary contribution of humanity and enthusiasm to multi-racial American culture and promoted the arts in education until he died in 1989. The Ailey company has performed for around 23 million people in 71 countries on six continents. The company continues with Ailey's mission by presenting significant works of the 79 from Ailey's past and commissioning new ones: more than 200 works by over 80 choreographers are part of the Ailey company’s repertory. Before his death, Ailey made Judith Jamison his successor as Artistic Director, and over the next 21 years she brought the Company to unprecedented success. In July 2011, Jamison passed this role to Robert Battle. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZuBFz6WYfs