Keith Alexander (Virginia) was a student of Virginia Commonwealth University's School of Art where he majored in Theatre Performance. After VCU, Keith moved to Chicago where he rekindled his love for dance and had the opportunity to train and perform with amazing and inspirational artistic movers including Lisa Johnson-Willingham, Angelina and Karlo Familera, and Popping Pete.
While in Chicago, Keith danced with The Willingham Project, Hip Hop Connxion Chicago, and was one of 20 dancers who assisted choreographer Ashley Wallen for the epic Oprah Flash Mob at the show's 24th season Kickoff Party. Keith also taught hip-hop at AileyCamp Chicago from 2007-2011.
After receiving a call from his mentor in 2011, Keith relocated to New York where he now teaches hip-hop and street jazz with Alvin Ailey American Dance Foundation—he is so grateful to have worked in many different divisions of the Ailey organization including Ailey Extension, The Ailey School, and Ailey Arts in Education. In the summer 2011, Keith co-created the very successful Hip-Hop 4 Kids Workshop at Ailey Extension which has grown into Ailey Hip-Hop for Kids & Teens today.
Within the last decade, Keith has had the opportunity to work with artists like Desmond Richardson, Doug E. Fresh, Chris Grant, and R&B Legend Brandy. In 2018, Keith joined choreographer, teacher, and visionary, Kristin Sudeikis, as one of the founding instructors of FORWARD__Space. Most recently, Keith worked with Noggin as the host for their new series for pre-schoolers, Dance Squad.
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.