Karen Arceneaux

Karen received her B.F.A. in Choreographic Design from the University of Louisiana-Lafayette (ULL) and Master of Arts Degree in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix. She has trained at the American Dance Festival in North Carolina, The Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance and The Ailey School. After graduating from The Ailey School, Arceneaux worked as the Administrative Assistant to the School Director and B.F.A. Program Co-Director. She later served as the School Administrator from 1999-2004. Since 1999, she has choreographed for the annual Christmas concert at Saint Paul’s Church in New York, working with dancers from the Ailey/Fordham B.F.A. Program. She has also choreographed for ULL and various performance groups and school programs at The Ailey School. As the Founder/Artistic Director of Genesis Dance Company, L.L.C., her work has been presented throughout New York, Connecticut, Michigan, and South Carolina.

Arceneaux was featured in MORE magazine in a campaign called “Strong Suits”, celebrating the strength of women who use their bodies in professions such as dance, stunt work, and fitness. Dedicated to fitness and always enthused about creating new programs to help individuals reach their personal fitness goals, Arceneaux is a certified personal trainer, weight loss specialist, and TRX Suspension trainer. She is also a certified group fitness instructor and Zumba instructor. Never relenting in her mission to be an inspiration to others, Arceneaux teaches and trains privately in NYC and Long Island and has her own Elite Physique247 fitness class schedule in Long Island that is growing in popularity.

Featured News Releases

Ailey Extension Kicks Off 2022 With Celebration Of Founder Alvin Ailey, New Weekly Classes, And Free Dance Cardio Workshop

(NEW YORK) January 6, 2022 – Ailey Extension is helping people all around the world kickstart their 2022 resolutions with new workshops and weekly classes to help make movement part of a fun and healthy lifestyle. Throughout January, students of all ages and experience levels will have the chance to explore new dance styles and get started on their fitness goals by getting moving with New York City’s elite instructors. The updated weekly schedule offers dancers ages 16 and up plenty of new opportunities to join in the dance either in-studio at the Joan Weill Center for Dance – NYC’s largest building dedicated to dance – or virtually from wherever they are located. Kids ages 5-11 and teens/tweens ages 12-17 can also get moving with Ailey during the Kids & Teens Sunday Dance Series.

Ailey All Access Premieres Special Cry Film Adaptation on Mother's Day In Conjunction With The 50th Anniversary Of The Beloved Work

New York, NY – April 30, 2021 – The Ailey organization is furthering the pioneering vision of its founder by “bringing dance back to the people” and lifting spirits through Ailey All Access, a series of online offerings including streaming of free performance broadcasts, Ailey Extension dance and fitness classes, and more. In a joyful nod to the 50th anniversary of Alvin Ailey’s beloved work, Cry, viewers will be treated to a new film adaptation of Jacqueline Green interpreting the extraordinary solo premiering on a Mother’s Day Matinee, on Sunday, May 9 at 3pm EDT. Created as a birthday present for Alvin Ailey’s mother Mrs. Lula Cooper, Cry debuted May 4, 1971 and is dedicated to “all Black women everywhere – especially our mothers.”

Ailey All Access Premieres Jamar Roberts' Members Don't Get Weary On April 28 Set To The Legendary John Coltrane's Music During Jazz Appreciation Month

New York, NY – April 23, 2021 – The Ailey organization continues to honor its founder who taught the important lesson of “holding a mirror to society so that people can see how beautiful they are,” by offering Ailey All Access, a free online initiative that illuminates the human spirit and sparks change. Since March 30, the streaming series has reached millions across the globe with free performance broadcasts of full length works from the repertory, Ailey Extension dance and fitness classes, and more.

Featured Press Coverage

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PIX 11 - Moms Get Moving With New Alvin Ailey Program

As we gear up to celebrate Mother’s Day this weekend, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is encouraging moms to have fun being fit and fabulous by offering virtual fitness classes. The Ailey Extension is a division of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater that offers “real classes for real people.” During the month of May, National Physical Fitness Month and Mental Health Awareness Month, they’re offering virtual classes and special workshops to promote physical and mental fitness.

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CBS New York - Ailey Extension Dance Studio Offering Dozens Of Free Classes For NYC Dance Week

NYC Dance Week is in full swing, and Ailey Extension is celebrating by offering dozens of free classes for new students. Instructor Karen Arceneaux says potential students shouldn't be intimidated by the name Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. "We have real classes for real people, so if you're a beginner, if you've never taken a class before, you can come in. It's a welcoming environment. It's inclusive, and at the end of class, you feel like a dancer,' Arceneaux said.