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Ailey Arts in Education & Community Programs offers ‘Revelations’ Virtual Dance Workshop Series

Nasha Thomas leading 'Revelations' Residency at Richmond Heights Middle School. Photo by Justin Namon, courtesy of Arsht Center.
Nasha Thomas leading 'Revelations' Residency at Richmond Heights Middle School. Photo by Justin Namon, courtesy of Arsht Center.

Ailey Arts in Education & Community Programs has announced an inspiring new virtual series that expands available Remote Learning Activities for schools and organizations looking for alternatives to in-person dance classes and residencies, supplements to physical education offerings, or to provide an engaging extracurricular activity for students. Launching during Black History Month as Alvin Ailey’s signature American masterpiece Revelations marks six decades, Revelations Virtual Dance Workshop Series furthers Ailey’s mission of using dance to inspire, enlighten and entertain people of all backgrounds and ages. 

Nasha Thomas and Michael Thomas teaching Revelations Virtual Dance Workshop Series. Photo courtesy of Ailey.
Nasha Thomas and Michael
Thomas teaching Revelations
Virtual Dance Workshop Series.
Photo courtesy of Ailey.

Designed for middle school students, Revelations Virtual Dance Workshop Series blends dance with poetry, history, music and more, to build a foundation of artistic exploration that will enhance any student’s academic experience. Led by master teachers and former Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater members Nasha Thomas and Michael Thomas, the series is adapted from the popular Revelations: An Interdisciplinary Approach curriculum, utilizing Alvin Ailey’s signature work as an inspirational framework for a comprehensive study of language arts, social studies and dance. 

Don Bellamy, Renee Robinson and Nasha Thomas in Alvin Ailey's 'Revelations'. Photo by Jack Mitchell.
Don Bellamy, Renee Robinson and
Nasha Thomas in Alvin Ailey’s
‘Revelations’.
Photo by Jack Mitchell.

With more than 20 years of experience teaching the curriculum, Nasha combines her passion of educating youth and personal experiences of performing Revelations with the Company to create a virtual experience for students that sparks creativity and critical thinking skills while introducing them to the work and life of Alvin Ailey in the context of American history. 

In addition, Ailey Arts In Education & Community Programs already offers the AileyDance Kids Video Library residency package, designed for grades pre-K through 12 in various techniques such as ballet, West African, jazz/hip hop, percussion lecture demonstrations and more. Led by Ailey Arts in Education teaching artists and musicians, each residency package includes five lessons that can be implemented during one class period, seamlessly merging the fun and energy of in-school dance classes to online learning. 

Rachel Watson-Jih teaching AileyDance Kids virtual residency. Photo courtesy of Ailey.
Rachel Watson-Jih teaching AileyDance
Kids virtual residency.
Photo courtesy of Ailey.

Live Remote Residencies and Customized Pre-Recorded Residencies are also available through Remote Learning Activities. Ailey Arts In Education teaching artists and musicians encourage students to practice imagination, resilience and joy while learning fundamental dance vocabulary and dynamic original choreography from the safety of their home or socially distanced classroom. 

Ailey Arts In Education remains committed to providing quality dance education and empower students to take, make and see dance, through whatever means possible. Aligned with the NYC DOE Blueprint for Dance and the New York State Learning Standards for the Arts, Ailey Arts In Education provides a safe physical, emotional and creative outlet for students of all ages and backgrounds. 

For more information on the Remote Learning Activities, visit www.alvinailey.org/aie. To schedule or purchase Remote Learning Activities, contact Cathryn Williams, director of Ailey Arts In Education & Community Programs at cwilliams@alvinailey.org.

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