Linda Celeste Sims

Linda Celeste Sims. Photo by Andrew Eccles
Please Credit Photo: Linda Celeste Sims. Photo by Andrew Eccles
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Bronx-native Linda Celeste Sims began training at Ballet Hispanico School of Dance and graduated from LaGuardia High School of the Performing Arts. She was a member of Ballet Hispanico from 1994 to 1996 before joining Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1996 where she became one of Ailey’s longest tenured dancers and served as the Assistant to the Rehearsal Director. During this time, Mrs. Sims was the rehearsal director for several pieces set on the Ailey Company including Twyla Tharp’s The Golden Section, George Faison’s Suite Otis, and Ronald K. Brown’s Open Door, Four Corners and Grace.  

Throughout her performance career, Mrs. Sims won numerous awards including Arts Recognition in 1994, the prestigious “Bessie” Award in 2014 for Outstanding Performer, the 2016 Inspiración Award from Ballet Hispánico, the 2017 Dance Magazine Award and was honored at The Bronx Academy of Arts & Dance’s 20th Anniversary gala in 2019. She has been featured in Dance Magazine, New York Amsterdam News, Refinery29 and on popular television shows So You Think You Can Dance, Dancing with the Stars, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Mo'Nique Show, LIVE with Kelly and Michael, and The Today Show. Mrs. Sims has also performed at special events including the White House Dance Series, Youth America Grand Prix, Vail International Dance Festival, as a guest artist with Evidence Dance Company, and more. Mrs. Sims originated featured roles in works choreographed by Judith Jamison, Donald Byrd, Alonso King, Dwight Rhoden, Ronald K. Brown, Mauro Bigonzetti, Jennifer Muller, Karole Armitage, Lynn Taylor Corbett, Rennie Harris, Christopher L. Huggins, and Aszure Barton.  

After nearly 25 years performing with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Mrs. Sims stepped away from the stage in 2020 and served as the Rehearsal Director of Ballet Hispanico Company in 2021-2022. 

Mrs. Sims has taught ballet and modern dance master classes for all ages worldwide, including at Marymount Manhattan College, Ballet Hispanico, and Ailey Extension; and is a certified Zena Rommett Floor-Barre instructor. Mrs. Sims currently teaches at Ailey Extension, Ballet Hispanico School of Dance, and SUNY Purchase. 

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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

NewYorkTimes_AAADT_AileyForward_LindaCelesteSimsGlennAllenSims_AAADTRetirement_Feature_Print_12.9.20

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.

NewYorkTimes_AAADT_NYCC_LindaCelesteSims_Cry_Feature_Print_12.28.19

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.