The Ailey School Prof Div Spring Concert A Preview of the Talented Up and Coming Dancers

The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is one of the world's leading dance companies.  Ailey is also renowned for training & mentoring students (approximately 3,500) from ages 3 through 25. Many of the school's graduates go on to become dancers with the Ailey Co.  And, many go on to join other professional dance co., or find careers as choreographers, teachers and performers in multi-media entertainment arenas.  The chance to watch the Prof Div. of the Ailey School perform is a privileged preview of tomorrow's elite performers.  The school's curriculum is designed to develop versatile dancers & performance experiences.  The school offers jazz, West African, ballet, Horton, modern and the opportunities for the students to work with master teachers and acclaimed choreographers.   The delightfully varied program featured 4 contemporary works choreographed by Marcus Willis, an Ailey Co alum, Judine Somervile, a former Rocket & Broadway veteran, Bradley Shelver (b S Africa) an Ailey II alum & currently a dancer with the Met Opera Ballet, and Brice Moussett (b France), Founder/choreographer OUI DANSE.  The program's dances varied from whimsical theatrical "Thrift Shop" to folkloric "Where There are Tongues" to contemporary.  Mousset's dance the Travailler gave the dancers a very clever,  exacting & demanding challenge.  A lone dancer begins moving in slow motion with a brief case & is soon joined by an ensemble of dancers, all dressed identically in business suits toting papers/brief cases.  The dancers captured the feelings of isolation & monotony of traveling.  They also demonstrated their honed dancing skills.  At one point the dancers drop their papers on stage and were fearless dancing amidst strewn papers. The entire program was an exciting & entertaining event which showed the dedication these young performers put into dance.  It was a tribute to the outstanding teaching staff.  And, it was an exuberant celebration of the dancer's accomplishments.