How Did Alvin Ailey Contribute To Dance

Alvin Ailey Alvin Ailey is a multicultural modern dancer known for his great accomplishments in dance and choreography. He founded the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and throughout his lifetime created some 79 ballets, many of which have appeared in the repertoire of major dance companies. It was on a junior high school class trip to the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, he fell in love with concert dance. He became inspired by performances of the Katherine Dunham Dance Company and classes with Lester Horton. Alvin Ailey would go on to create a legacy of versatility and cultural expression. * Alvin Ailey, Jr. was born on January 5, 1931 in Roger, Texas. Ailey’s parents separated when he was five years old leaving his mom to raise him alone. Ailey and his mom moved to Los Angles in 1942 where his mother found work in an aircraft factory. At this time it was common for African-Americans to make this move as there were lucrative job opportunities. Ailey experienced a very rough childhood. He grew up in the time of segregation and witnessed his mother be victimized by five white men. This childhood incident would make him afraid of white people. During high school Ailey became interested in athletics and joined his high school gymnastics team and
Ailey's company was one of America's most popular dance troupes. The company continued touring around the world, with U.S. State Department backing. AAADT were the first modern dancers to visit the former Soviet Union since the 1920s. In the 1970s Ailey slowed his choreographic assignments to attend to the administrative and fund-raising operations associated with his ever expanding company Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. The school relocated to 229 East 59th Street in Manhattan to share a renovated church building with Pearl Lang. Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and the Pearl Lang Dance Company shared rehearsal