WASHINGTON HEIGHTS — A popular dance theater company is plié-ing its way across the country with the expansion of its summer camp program to 10 major cities.
The New York City-based Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, founded in 1958 by choreographer and dancer Alvin Ailey, announced new programs of its AileyCamp in locations including Atlanta, Chicago, Seattle, Miami, Newark, and Berkley, California.
The camp, which launched in Kansas City in 1989 as part of the Ailey Arts in Community Programs, works with more than 1,000 inner-city kids nationwide, serving students ages 11 to 14, according to AileyCamp national director Nasha Thomas.
The free, 8-week program not only teaches dance routines and positions, but also focuses on personal development.
Located inside the Washington Heights' Mirabal Campus at 21 Jumel Place, the New York City outpost helps 104 campers, 20 of whom are boys, practice affirmations, discuss personal issues, and share their dreams.
“As you can maybe remember, those ages are pretty challenging in a young person’s development and AileyCamp is a wonderful program that helps guide them towards that growth,” Thomas said.
“That’s where we are giving these young people life skills. We talk about about critical thinking, decision making, how to resolve conflict, how to deal with peer pressure, bullying, healthy nutrition… being responsible young people as they’re on the road to adulthood.”
For 13-year-old Anaiya Fernandez, of the Bronx, the program has helped her realize she’s capable of accomplishing her goals.
During an art workshop class, the teen shared a dream where her brother, who passed away several years ago, told her how proud he was to see her working toward becoming a professional performer.
“He was saying [in the dream] that I’m going to make it big, and I’m going to go somewhere and that all my hard work is going to pay off,” Fernandez said. “He said all I have to do is not forget about him and keep believing in myself.”
As an actress, singer, and dancer, Fernandez calls herself a "triple threat."
“That’s what I want to continue doing for the rest of my career,” she said, adding that its her first year in the program.
Like Fernandez, Thomas said all the students are incorporating their goals into the program's work.
The camp also looks to encourage talented artists by providing scholarships, summer workshops and other incentives that allow students to remain in the Alvin Ailey network.
The Washington Heights program wraps up on Thursday, Aug. 11 with a final performance at the Hostos Center for the Arts and Culture, 450 Grand Concourse in the Bronx.
