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Robert Battle

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BIO

Robert Battle became Artistic Director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in July 2011 after being personally selected by Judith Jamison, making him only the third person to head the Company since it was founded in 1958. Mr. Battle has a long-standing association with the Ailey organization.



A frequent choreographer and artist in residence at Ailey since 1999, he has set many of his works on Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Ailey II, and at The Ailey School. The Company’s current repertory includes his ballets Ella, For Four, In/Side, Love Stories finale, Mass, and Unfold. In addition to expanding the Ailey repertory with works by artists as diverse as Kyle Abraham, Mauro Bigonzetti, Ronald K. Brown, Rennie Harris, and Paul Taylor, Mr. Battle has also instituted the New Directions Choreography Lab to help develop the next generation of choreographers.

Mr. Battle’s journey to the top of the modern dance world began in the Liberty City neighborhood of Miami, Florida. He showed artistic talent early and studied dance at a high school arts magnet program before moving on to Miami’s New World School of the Arts, under the direction of Daniel Lewis and Gerri Houlihan, and finally to the dance program at The Juilliard School, under the direction of Benjamin Harkarvy, where he met his mentor, Carolyn Adams. He danced with Parsons Dance from 1994 to 2001, and also set his choreography on that company starting in 1998. Mr. Battle then founded his own Battleworks Dance Company, which made its debut in 2002 in Düsseldorf, Germany, as the U.S. representative to the World Dance Alliance’s Global Assembly. Battleworks subsequently performed extensively at venues including The Joyce Theater, Dance Theater Workshop, American Dance Festival, and Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival.

Mr. Battle was honored as one of the “Masters of African-American Choreography” by the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in 2005, and he received the prestigious Statue Award from the Princess Grace Foundation-USA in 2007. He is a recipient of the 2021 Dance Magazine Award and has honorary doctorates from The University of the Arts, Marymount Manhattan College, and Fordham University. Mr. Battle was named a 2015 Visiting Fellow for The Art of Change, an initiative by the Ford Foundation. He is a sought-after keynote speaker and has addressed a number of high-profile organizations, including the United Nations Leaders Programme and the UNICEF Senior Leadership Development Programme.

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Review: LEGACY, Royal Ballet and Opera

It’s interesting to consider that ballet began its development in the mid 16th century, however it wasn't until around 400 years later that BIPOC (American) dancers Maria Tallchief, Raven Wilkinson and Arthur Mitchell, first joined ballet companies.
Hudson Valley Dance Festival Raises Record $170,629 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS

The 2024 Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction raised a record-breaking $1,043,825 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, marking the highest total in the event's 37-year history. Learn more!
Gibney and The Simons Foundation Reveal Open Interval Residency 2024-2025 Awardees

Gibney and the Simons Foundation have revealed the 2024-2025 Open Interval Residency cohort. This marks the third year of a partnership that began in 2022. Learn more about the awardees.
Ballet, Contemporary and World Premiere Performances Added to Hudson Valley Dance Festival Lineup

The full performer lineup for Hudson Valley Dance Festival is set, bringing together globally renowned performers and companies to the heart of the Hudson Valley on Sunday, October 13, 2024, at Historic Catskill Point in Catskill, NY.   
Paul Taylor Dance Company Comes to Lincoln Center in November

The Paul Taylor Dance Company will return to the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center for its annual Fall Season from November 5 through November 24, 2024, with music performed live by Orchestra of St. Luke’s
Miami Dance Icon Daniel Lewis to be Celebrated in October With Events, Performances & More

Miami will celebrate dance icon Daniel Lewis' birthday with special events, performances, and tributes. Join the festivities honoring his contributions to the dance community.
Sean Aaron Carmon Joins Dance Kaleidoscope

Dance Kaleidoscope has announced that Sean Aaron Carmon, a distinguished contemporary dance choreographer and performer with a robust and diverse career, has joined Dance Kaleidoscope as Rehearsal Director.
Tsai Hsi Hung, Thang Dao Selected for Joffrey Concert Group Creative Movers Choreographic Initiative

Joffrey Concert Group has announced the talented choreographers chosen for the prestigious Creative Movers Choreographic Initiative (CMCI).
Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival Announces Week 7 Programming, Featuring Parsons Dance and More

Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival will welcomes the internationally-touring modern dance company Parsons Dance back to the Ted Shawn Theatre, 25 years after their last engagement with the festival in 1999.
Joffrey Concert Group Offers Opportunities to Choreographers

The New York-based Joffrey Concert Group has announced the third annual Creative Movers Choreographic Initiative (CMCI), offering an opportunity to two choreographers to create a work for the Joffrey Concert Group, to be performed at the Company's February 2025 New York concert season.
Contemporary Dance Series At Bryant Park Picnic Performances Beginning June 6

Discover the Contemporary Dance Series at Bryant Park Picnic Performances starting June 6, featuring Ayodele Casel, David Dorfman Dance, Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE, Mark Morris Dance Group, and more.
Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company to Present Two-Week 2024 Summer Intensive

The Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company will hold its 2024 Summer Intensive with two sessions in June, offering classes in Kinetic Spiral and Dancing with Props, followed by auditions for the 2025 season. Learn how to apply!
Instructors Revealed For The Free Hinton Battle Day Of Dance

On Monday, June 10th, 2024, the dance community will join for the “HINTON BATTLE - DAY OF DANCE.'
Joffrey Concert Group & Limon2 Perform At ICONS DANCE FESTIVAL This Weekend

The Joffrey Concert Group has announced the 'Icons Dance Festival,' which this year welcomes guest company  Limón 2.
Parsons Dance Will Return to the Joyce For Annual NYC Homecoming

Parsons Dance will return to The Joyce Theater for its annual two-week season, from Tuesday, May 14 through Saturday, May 25.  
Houston Contemporary Dance Company Will Perform ELECTROSTATIC ATTRACTION

Houston Contemporary Dance Company will present Electrostatic Attraction to continue their 5th Season. This concert will include a world premiere by Houston Ballet Demi Soloist, Jack Wolff and a new solo created by Andrea Dawn Shelley on founding company member Genene Walis McGrath.
CLYMOVE DANCE GALA To Honors Sarita Allen This Week

CLYMOVE DANCE GALA honors Sarita Allen, will present two World Premieres, and a performance of Elisa Monte's 'Pigs and Fishes' on Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at 7:00 PM at Ailey Citigroup Theater.
AILEY DAY Dance Celebration Returns To NJPAC This April

Join the fun at NJPAC's Ailey Day in Newark on April 6th. Enjoy free Ailey dance classes and more exciting activities.
New Orleans Ballet Association to Present Parsons Dance and The Allen Toussaint Orchestra

Join the New Orleans Ballet Association as they conclude their 2023-24 season with the Parsons Dance and The Allen Toussaint Orchestra. Learn how to purchase tickets.
The Joffrey Concert Group Will Host ICONS DANCE FESTIVAL Next Month

The Joffrey Concert Group has announced the 'Icons Dance Festival,' which this year welcomes Limón2, Lena Lauer, Artistic Director. 

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