(1931–89). One of the most famous modern dancers of the 20th century was Alvin Ailey. As a choreographer—a person who creates dances and directs dancers—he was also highly respected. His dance company, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, toured around the world and brought recognition for African American dancers, choreographers, and themes.

Early life

Alvin Ailey was born in Rogers, Texas, on January 5, 1931. He moved with his mother to Los Angeles when he was 12. As a child, he was interested in art. In junior high school he attended a class trip to a ballet performance. It was an experience that changed his life. In 1949 he began to study modern dance at the Lester Horton Dance Theater. When Lester Horton died in 1953, Ailey became the director of the company. It was there that he created his earliest works.

In 1954 Ailey moved to New York City, where he lived for the rest of his life. There he studied with modern dance pioneer Martha Graham and others. He danced in a variety of productions and choreographed his own works. Ailey also studied acting and landed roles in plays and film.

Career

In 1958, Alvin Ailey organized the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. The troupe performed many kinds of works, but Ailey particularly wanted to bring African American culture to modern dance. In 1963 Ailey first hired dancers who were not African American. After that, the troupe was multiracial. The company toured the world in the early 1960s, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State.

Ailey used a variety of dance and music forms in his pieces. These included ballet and modern dance along with jazz, folk, and modern styles of music. He was widely recognized as one of the most important creative artists of his time.

In 1958, Ailey achieved his first big success as a choreographer with Blues Suite. One of the most famous of Ailey's dances is Revelations. Created in 1960, it is a powerful work that combines elements from African American spirituals and gospel music. He also created dances for the theater and for such musical works as Leonard Bernstein's Mass (1971). Many of Ailey's works have been performed by ballet companies as well as modern dance troupes.

Later life

In 1965, Ailey retired from dancing. He wanted to focus on his choreography and on his company. He was given many honors, including the Spingarn Medal of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Alvin Ailey died on December 1, 1989, at the age of 58. During his lifetime he created nearly 80 dances. His company, and a dance school associated with it, remained in operation after his death.