About Ailey

Ailey Moves NYC!
Please Credit Photo: Ailey Moves NYC! Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's Jeroboam Bozeman. Photo by Andrew Eccles
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Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, recognized by U.S. Congressional resolution as a vital American “Cultural Ambassador to the World,” has performed for over 25 million people in 48 states and in 71 countries on 6 continents, celebrating the African-American cultural experience and the American modern dance tradition. Ailey’s permanent home is The Joan Weill Center for Dance, the largest building dedicated to dance in New York City,  the dance capital of the world.

The Ailey Organization includes: Ailey II (a second performing company of young dancers and emerging choreographers), The Ailey School (one of the world's most extensive dance training programs), Ailey Arts In Education & Community Programs (which bring dance into classrooms and communities), and Ailey Extension (offering dance and fitness classes to the public). 

Featured News Releases

Spring Into Dance With Ailey Extension's Special Virtual Workshops As Well As New Kids & Teens Online Session

(New York) March 9, 2021 – Ailey Extension is dancing into Spring with fresh new weekend workshops that introduce adults, children, and teens to new dance techniques. On Saturday, March 20, adult students are invited to mark the first day of Spring in three unique workshops: Absolute Beginner Ballet focusing on fundamental vocabulary, a Horton masterclass teaching the technique seen in many of Alvin Ailey’s classic works, and an Afro-Cuban dance experience complete with live music. Seasonal festivities continue a week later with a cheerful Masala Bhangra workshop celebrating the Hindu Spring “festival of colors”. Young dancers ages 5-17 are welcome to join in the dance during the Kids & Teens Online Spring session (March 1 – May 2) which features age-appropriate classes – such as a new Junior Broadway Jazz for tweens and Teen Contemporary – that allow students to build confidence as they work on their dance skills. Each of these new virtual workshops and classes are open to students of all levels, offering experienced and beginner dancers around the world the chance to learn from elite instructors.

Ailey Extension's Kids & Teens Spring 2021 Online Session Features New Offerings And Expanded Classes For Ages 5 to 7

(New York) March 5, 2020 – Ailey Extension’s Kids & Teens Online workshop is keeping kids moving this spring with a range of classes teaching fun dance techniques in a non-competitive environment. Dancers as young as 5 years old have the chance to learn from in-demand instructors as they develop coordination and individuality with their movements. The Spring 2021 eight-week session – which runs from March 1 to May 2 – includes hip-hop classes for all ages, ballet for children ages 5-12, Horton for pre-teens, and introduces two new class options – Teen Contemporary and Junior Broadway Jazz.

Ailey Extension Online Offers Cornucopia Of Classes With Respected Teachers Leading Virtual Workshops & Classes For Adults, Teens, Kids, and Toddlers

(New York) September 10, 2020 – Ailey Extension invites people around the globe to fall into dance with a variety of classes, special workshops and a kids & teens series starting in September. Students of diverse ages, backgrounds and levels are welcome to enjoy learning dance moves and enhancing fitness under the instruction of New York City’s top dance professionals with a cornucopia of virtual offerings.

Featured Press Coverage

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The New York Times - Perfect Timing For Their Next Move

Glenn Allen Sims and Linda Celeste Sims did something many couples do: They had a baby. But they're no ordinary couple. As two treasured veterans of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater — Glenn for 23 years, and Linda for 24 — they have long persisted in jobs that have pushed them to their physical limits. With the birth of their son, Ellington James Sims, in April 2019, they faced a new challenge.

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The New York Times - 'Just Speaking From My Body'

Every so often a great dancer transcends her own brilliance, somehow expanding its outer limit. Last week at City Center, Linda Celeste Sims, a member of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for 24 years, did just that in a rapturous performance of Ailey's 1971 "Cry," a 16-minute solo dedicated "to all black women everywhere - especially our mothers." This season Ms. Sims, 43, danced the work for the first time as a mother - she gave birth to her first child, Ellington, in May - and something shifted.

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Dance Spirit - Upfront Buzz: Happy Birthday, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater!

On March 30, 1958, at the 92nd Street Y in NYC, dancer Alvin Ailey and a group of African-American dancers performed onstage together for the first time. Since Then, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, the company Ailey formed, has become legendary in the dance world. To commemorate its 60th anniversary, AAADT has dubbed its annual City Center season "Ailey 60." From Nov. 28-Dec. 30 choreographers including Ronald K. Brown, Jessica Lang, and Rennie Harris will present premieres, alongside the works of current artistic director Robert Battle, Judith Jamison, and over two dozen pieces by Alvin Ailey himself. We asked a few of the company members to share what the anniversary means to them.