For Immediate Release

March 15, 2002

ALVIN AILEY STUDENT GROUP SHOWCASES TALENT AT DOBBS FERRY

Dancers from the Alvin Ailey Student Showcase Group performed for the Dobbs Ferry Public School District on Thursday, March 14th. The Showcase Group is an ensemble of 11 fellowship students selected from the Ailey School.

The Ailey dance fellows began their presentation with a demonstration of warm-up exercises followed by a 45-minute performance. They concluded with a question and answer session in which Dobbs Ferry students asked the young dancers' about their lives and work.

The performance consisted of works choreographed by present and former members of the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater as well as other choreographers. Dancers were accompanied by music that ranged from Bobby McFerrin to Fred Astaire. They performed pieces entitled: allthelovethatifeelforyou, Mama Said, Closure, Hearts Divided and Of.

The Showcase group gave two performances, one for high school students and middle school students from grades five and six and another for the grades seven and eight as well as third and fourth graders from Springhurst Elementary School.

The special performances were organized in response to the success of last year's visit by student dancers from the Joffrey Ballet. The visit was underwritten by a grant from the Dobbs Ferry Schools Foundation.

For further information, please contact: Vivienne Heston-Demirel (tel: 693-1500, ext. 3013), or Nasha Thomas-Schmitt at (212) 767- 0590, ext. 280