On 10 November, the White House announced that President Obama is selecting choreographer Alvin Ailey for the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The recognition is for Alvin Ailey's contribution and dedication to civil rights and dance in America. Interestingly, Obama is now awarding the prize.
Alvin Ailey studied dance in California at the Horton Dance School, the first dance school in America to welcome multiple races. Lester Horton, who was initially interested in dance of American Indians, emerged as a mentor to Alvin. Ailey studied various dance styles and took over the Horton Dance Company after Horton's death. In 1958, Ailey founded his Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre on.
Ailey's inspiration for dance began with seeing a performance of the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. He developed a conviction and vision for a multi-racial dance company and found inspiration for his work from church services he attended. The company for which he created nearly 80 ballets travelled worldwide. Alvin Ailey died in 1989.
Robert Battle, the current director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, takes on 24 November receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House. Isabel Allende, Meryl Streep and Stevie Wonder also received the award, which has been given to a total of 19 people.
[Tweet "Obama: 'From activists who fought for change to artists who explored furthest reaches of our imagination'"]View Revelations, the most famous work of Alvin Ailey, below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZuBFz6WYfs
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