Alvin Ailey started his career as a dancer at age 18. His first formal training came from Lester Horton at the Horton school in 1949. He studied many forms of dance while attending including ballet, jazz, and modern dance, Horton technique. He also was inspired by Katherine Dunham
and was briefly taught by Thelma Robinson, a Dunham Dancer, before attending the Horton school. Upon visiting New York and moving there, as well, Ailey studied with Martha Graham for a short time. He also studied with Doris Humphrey and José Limón and Charles Weidman. Upon watching Martha Graham he said, “her dance was finicky and strange,”(Dancing Revelations) and while observing Humphrey and Limón he hated it. Ailey could not find in the other dance forms what he experienced with Horton and soon returned to t
he technique he started and was most comfortable with. I loved Horton technique and nothing he learned or experienced could replace it. Although he did like any of the dances within the other modern technique style, that didn’t stop him from using what he learned while choreographing his dances. In his signature pieces “Revelations” there is evidence of Graham technique with the use of contractions and pleating hands. He also took acting class with Stella Adler. Through all his teachers and studying many style of modern dance, as well as ballet, folk, African, and popular dances of the times Alvin Ailey became one of the greatest dance figures of the 20th century and this is all helped him in shaping him as a dancer.
Alvin Ailey incorporates his dance lineage and influences openly in his choreographic works. It is interesting that he did not rebel from any specific techniques that he trained in by deliberately disregarding those influences and movements. Ailey's company and school till this day prove to be advocates of historical modern dance context. Though the works are fresh and innovative they still seem to hold ties with the lineage progressed by Ailey. The way dance evolves is truly exemplified through Alvin Ailey's work.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that Alvin Ailey's lineage and background in dance was so diverse. But now that it is pointed out to me I can pick up the hints. I think Melissa's comment is great because he never did really rebel and swing the pendulum the other way when it came to the dance techniques and styles. Ailey definitely pays homage to his modern dance roots and has created a styled that has incorporated hints. I love Horton technique as well, it definitely makes you very strong, long, and balanced. I commend Ailey for not solely defining his company and dance style by one specific technique.
ReplyDelete