Youth Dance Day
National Dance Week – NYC presents Youth Dance Day
Sunday, April 10th
9:00am-1:00pm
The Ailey Studios, 405 W 55th St. at 9th Ave., New York, NY 10019
First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move initiative
This FREE event is a special invitation for teens ages 12 – 17, where we are dedicating a day to dance and promoting healthy choices in honor of Week of the Young Child (April 10-16).
In addition, we are also celebrating the launch of The Ailey Extension’s new Teen Extension summer series with exclusive early-bird registration offers.
Enjoy dance lessons from the cast of Billy Elliot The Musical and renowned Ailey Extension instructors in Ballet, Hip Hop and Contemporary Jazz; free giveaways; complimentary Lunch ‘N Learn session, and more.
Space is limited, RSVP required before attending.
KEITH ALEXANDER (Hip Hop), a native of Virginia, has been dancing professionally in Chicago for about 8 years. Before moving to the Windy City, Keith was student of Virginia Commonwealth Universitys’ School Of Art, where he majored in Theatre Performance. While in School, Keith learned that he was a talented mover and studied the Grotowski method as well as stage combat, and mask, with experts Dr. Aaron Anderson and David Leong. Keith was also privileged to work with renowned Broadway Choreographer/Director Patti D’Beck in the musical: The Civil War. Other Theatre credits include: Earth TTFN!?!, The Other Cinderella, The Tiger Who Wore White Gloves, Hopera: Chronicles of A Fallen Hero, My Brother Marvin, Uncle Tom: Deconstructed, and Wait Until Dark. After moving to Chicago, Keith rekindled his love for dance, and has had the opportunity to train and perform with some amazing and inspirational artistic movers. To name a few, Lisa Johnson-Willingham, Angelina Grima, Karlo Familera, Popping Pete, Kevin Maher, Lisette Bustamant, Marty Kudelka, Trae Turner, and Dionna PriDgeon. Keith has danced with The Willingham Project, Hip Hop Connxion Chicago, Pure Rendtionz, and was one of 20 dancers who assisted Choreographer, Ashley Wallen, with the epic Oprah Flash Mob, at the shows’ 24th season Kickoff Party. He is currently a company member of Design Dance Company, and has performed with them at the Hip hop International: World Hip Hop Championships. Since 2007, Keith Alexander has taught Hip Hop at AileyCamp Chicago as well as master classes for ChiArts, After School Matters, and Chicago Park District.
LISA JOHNSON-WILLINGHAM, Ailey Extension Director, (Modern Jazz), born in Washington, DC, is a graduate of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts and received a BFA from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Lisa has performed with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, New World Dance Company, Donald Byrd/The Group, Joel Hall Dance Company, Deeply Rooted Productions, Cerqua/Rivera Art Experience, Nucleus Dance Collective and Complexions. As a choreographer, Lisa has set pieces on such dance companies as Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Joel Hall Dance Company, Cerqua/Rivera Art Experience, Melissa Thodos and Dancers, One World Dance Theater and Hubbard Street II. Lisa’s leadership experience in the arts includes a decade-long position as Director of AileyCamp Chicago, heading dance programs at the Dance Conservatory of Chicago High School for the Arts and Whitney Young Magnet High School and teaching positions at Columbia College, Olive Harvey College and Academy of Dance.
Lunch ‘N Learn Nutritionist:
DR. LAURA T. GRAYTON of Hoboken Chiropractic + Wellness Inc.
Event at Sony Style Store
NDW-NYC Staff & Julio Jean Haitian Dance Theater Company
Julio Jean Haitian American Dance Theater was created in 2000, and is universally known for its deeply moving and soulful productions, Guede Zariyen-Spider Spirit (2000) and At Madame Bruno’s (2002). Julio Jean was one of the first Haitian dance artists to bring the spirit of Haiti to a wide audience in the United States. Each production is a breathtaking composite of authentic Haitian rhythms, folklore, symbolism and singing on a canvas of modern American dance.
