Resilience is the theme of this summer’s AileyCamp. Named after Alvin Ailey, the renowned dancer and founder of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, the camp has 10 locations around the country including one at Newark Arts High School. This summer, the Newark camp — which is free — is hosting 88 participants, who range in age from 11 to 14 years old.
AileyCamper Austin Fisher stood in a rehearsal room at Newark Arts High School with dozens of eyes on her, held the barre with her right hand, arched her left arm above her head, and ever so gracefully bent backward at the waist.
As CBS News New York's Dave Carlin reports, a vibrant combination of talent, teaching and tradition makes AileyCamp a game-changer.
CBS News Miami’s Lisa Petrillo speaks with Jairo Ontiveros, the Arsht Center's vice president of art education, in addition to Wresley Wray, a former Ailey camper now performing on Broadway. Whether it's jazz, ballet, West African dance, or personal development, it's all about an artistic and safe program for Miami-Dade County public middle school students at AileyCamp Miami, a six week summer program at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts.
More than 100 people, ranging from four to more than 80 years old, get to learn and practice with members of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. We’re in the middle of a dance class in downtown Santa Barbara. But it is much more than a class. It’s an experience. More than 100 people are learning some dance moves from members of one of the world’s most iconic modern dance companies. The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is doing two performances in Santa Barbara this week, including one on Wednesday night. But, members of the company also held a community dance class for all comers at Santa Barbara’s historic Carrillo Ballroom.
Out of all the parts that made 76-year-old Vivien Fortunaso fall in love with her Altadena home, the garden was the one that she was most proud of. The Australia native chose Atladena as her permanent home in 1991 after a short stint in London. "Really friendly people," she said. "It's a very, very diverse community, which is why we like Altadena. She and her partner just finished a remodel with a dream kitchen overlooking the tranquil garden and the trail."This became a really special place of us," Fortunaso said. "It's really hard to lose it."Fortunaso said that life has been a blur ever since the Eaton Fire destroyed their beloved home — at least, until recently. A few weeks ago, the renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater invited Fortunaso and several other seniors who lost their homes to a free dance class.
Students at Detroit Public Schools Community District put books and computer screens aside to learn about dance Thursday. At the renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, students are learning to dream big. "I love dance and I like when I’m feeling low, I like to dance my way out of my feelings," said Janiya Kennedy, Thurgood Marshall Elementary School.
NJ Spotlight News highlights AileyCamp Newark, celebrating 35 years of AileyCamp. Co-director, Sherece Hill, discusses the goals and purpose of AileyCamp while current students give their experience.
“Don’t forget to count,” Matthew Hill, a percussion teacher at Newark’s AileyCamp said as he used his bare hands to thump a djembe, a West African drum. Tap, tap, tap, tap, slapped Hill in a fast tempo as the loud thuds echoed throughout the Arts High School auditorium.
As a Black New York native, I first heard the name Alvin Ailey when I was very young, even as someone not necessarily inclined toward the performing arts. The pioneering African American dancer, choreographer and activist came up in Texas in the violent Jim Crow South, where he recalled seeing members of the Klan. Eventually, he found his way to California to work on his craft, and then New York City