Keith Alexander, native of Virginia, first fell in love with dance at a young age watching the music videos of Janet Jackson and other pop stars. He would intensely study all the dances, and then promptly teach them to all of his friends at school. Keith went on to study acting at Virginia Commonwealth University where movement would find its way back into his life through his acute studies of the Grotowski Method with fight and movement master David Leong.
Keith later found his way to Chicago where he immersed himself in the dance culture. In the Windy City he trained with Lisa Johnson-Willingham, Trey Turner, Karlo Familara, Angelina Grima, Miguel Antonio, Kevin Maher, Luam, Popping Pete. Keith was a company member of the Willingham Project and Design Dance Co.
Keith Joined the Extension faculty in 2011, and co-created the very successful Hip Hop 4 Kids workshop, as well as the first ever Teen Extension Performance Class. Since moving to New York, he has worked with Hip Hop Public Health, Songs for a Healthier America, Hype break dance work out Video, the Dr. OZ show, and choreographed for the New York Department of Education, hip-hop legend Doug E. Fresh, and New York Knicks Iman Shumpert.
New York, NY – May 1, 2023 - Noggin, Nickelodeon's interactive learning platform, announced today the launch of Dance Squad with Ailey, an on-demand video dance class for young children (ages two to seven) developed in partnership with the Ailey organization. The six-episode series introduces kids to dance, celebrates different cultures and encourages self-expression.
(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.
(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.
