Gifted with a mother's second sight, Catherine Johnson knew her daughter Jacqueline Green better than the child knew herself. In 2004, the eighth-grader insisted she had absolutely zero desire to study dance. "Oh, Mom," she said, rolling her eyes. "Why would I want to do that?"
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater grew from a now-fabled performance in March 1958, at the 92nd Street Y in NEw York City. Led by Alvin AIley and a group of young African-American modern Dancers, that performance changed forever the perception of American dance.
For two kids with a passion for dance, nothing could stop them from realizing their dreams. Because of their spirit and dedication, these two, now in their early 20s, are dancing with one of the most prestigious - and competitive - dance companies in the city.
The members of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater are adept in what might be termed "extreme dancing" - the jumps seem trampoline-enhanced, the splits are frequently beyond a hundred and eighty degrees, and the drama is off the charts.
Daphne Lee is a junior in the Ailey/Fordham BFA program and an apprentice with Ailey II.
Somewhere near the top of the modern-dance family tree, where the foliage is plentiful, you'll find Sylvia Waters. This season after 38 years on the job, Ms. Waters will step down as artistic director of Ailey II, the second company of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, where her main triumph has been to cultivate dancers and nurture their inner stars.
"In July 2008, I suffered what I thought was a career-ending injury - a cartilage tear in my knee," says Alicia, who's danced with Alcin Ailey since 2005. "I was devastated. But my mom reassured me that whether or not I came back as a dancer, anything I decided to do next would be brilliant."
Ailey II, the youthful and gifted second company of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, will return to its home, The Ailey Citigroup Theater, from April 18-29 for a highly anticipated two-week season - the last led by 38-year Artistic Director Sylvia Waters.
In middle school, Sarah Daley came to Chicago's Auditorium Theater to see ALvin Ailey American Dance Theater perform. She left inspired, but never anticipating that a few years later, at 25, she would be getting ready to perform on that very stage as part of the acclaimed company.
When Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater brings its show to The Auditorium Theatre this week, it'll be the first time Gary native Renaldo Gardner dances in Chicagoland as a member of the legendary main Ailey company.