Date of Birth: January 5, 1931
Zodiac Sign: Capricorn
Date of Death: December 1, 1989
Biography
Alvin Ailey was an American dancer, director, choreographer, and activist who founded the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, a groundbreaking company that significantly influenced modern dance. Born in Rogers, Texas, Ailey moved to Los Angeles at a young age, where he was introduced to dance through performances by the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo and the Katherine Dunham Dance Company. After studying with renowned choreographer Lester Horton, Ailey became a lead dancer in Horton’s company and eventually took over as its director upon Horton’s death. In 1958, Ailey founded the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York City, aiming to provide a platform for African American dancers and to bring cultural diversity to the modern dance scene. His most famous work, “Revelations,” premiered in 1960 and remains one of the most performed ballets worldwide. Ailey’s choreography often drew from his experiences as an African American, reflecting his heritage and the African American struggle for civil rights. Ailey received numerous accolades throughout his career, including the Kennedy Center Honors in 1988. He passed away from AIDS-related complications in 1989, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire dancers and choreographers around the world.
5 Interesting Facts about Alvin Ailey
1. Alvin Ailey was inducted into the National Museum of Dance’s Mr. & Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney Hall of Fame in 1992.
2. Ailey’s company was designated by a U.S. Congressional resolution as “a vital American cultural ambassador to the world.”
3. Ailey choreographed over 79 ballets during his lifetime.
4. The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has performed for more than 25 million people in 48 states and 71 countries.
5. Ailey’s “Revelations” is the most widely-seen modern dance work in the world.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Alvin Ailey
1. “Dance is for everybody. I believe that the dance came from the people and that it should always be delivered back to the people.”
2. “I wanted to explore black culture, and I wanted that culture to be a revelation.”
3. “The creative process is not controlled by a switch you can simply turn on or off; it’s with you all the time.”
4. “I am trying to show the world that we are all human beings and that color is not important. What is important is the quality of our work.”
5. “You don’t have to know about ballet to enjoy it, all you have to do is look at it.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Alvin Ailey’s highest net worth was not publicly documented, but his contributions to dance and culture have been invaluable.
Children
Alvin Ailey did not have any children.
Relevant Links
1. [Alvin Ailey Official Website](https://www.alvinailey.org/
2. [Biography on Biography.com](https://www.biography.com/performer/alvin-ailey
3. [Alvin Ailey on PBS](https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/alvin-ailey-about-the-dancer/108/
4. [Kennedy Center Honors](https://www.kennedy-center.org/artists/a/aa-an/alvin-ailey/
5. [National Museum of Dance](https://www.dancemuseum.org/exhibits/hof/alvin-ailey/
