Masazumi Chaya

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Masazumi Chaya
Born (1947-02-21) February 21, 1947 (age 76)
Fukuoka, Japan
Occupation(s) Choreographer, dancer
Years active1972–present

Masazumi Chaya is a Japanese American dancer, choreographer and was the associate artistic director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (AAADT) from 1991 to 2020. [1]

Contents


Early life

Chaya was born and trained in classical ballet in Fukuoka, Japan, [2] to a doctor and nurse. [3] He found his way into theater as a dresser in his teenage years, and later as a musical theater dancer on stage and on television in Tokyo.

He moved to New York City in December 1970, [4] after questioning whether he was getting work in Japan for being a male, instead of for his ability. [5]

Career

Chaya performed with AAADT for fifteen years beginning in 1972, becoming rehearsal director after retiring from dancing in 1987 [6] [7] and also serving as choreographic assistant to Alvin Ailey before Ailey's death in 1989. [8] Chaya was named AAADT's associate artistic director in 1991 by Judith Jamison. [2] From 1991 to 2020, Chaya served as Associate Artistic Director of the Company. [9]

Chaya has staged and re-staged various Ailey works, rehearsed dancers, and taught company class for AAADT. [3] He primarily teaches Ailey dances that he has performed. [6]

Chaya has focused on maintaining the spirit of Ailey's dances with today's performers, who have generally not experienced the same life challenges as Ailey's dancers of the past. [3] He's credited with providing continuity to AAADT over the years. [10] [6] [11]

Former director Judith Jamison referred to him as the "miracle of this company," who "can remember details and dances like no other." [5]

Ballet stagings

Ballet re-stagings

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References

  1. ↑ Kourlas, Gia. "Alvin Ailey's Associate Artistic Director to Step Down". nytimes.com. The New York Times. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  2. 1 2 "Masazumi Chaya Celebrates 35 Years with Alvin Ailey Dance". Broadway World. 12 November 2017. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  3. 1 2 3 Dunning, Jennifer (8 December 2002). "DANCE; An Aide of All Trades Who Keeps Things Moving". The New York Times. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  4. ↑ "Masazumi Chaya". Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. 9 February 2010. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  5. 1 2 Wright, Frankie (26 April 1991). "Keeping Ailey on Its Toes : Choreography: The dance company is staying true to its late founder's vision, but it is also fostering the new". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  6. 1 2 3 Bleiberg (17 February 2006). "Dance: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater keeps the faith". Orange County Register. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  7. ↑ "Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater: 50 Years Cultural Ambassador to the World". Library of Congress. 8 May 2008. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  8. ↑ "Masazumi Chaya: Biography". The Kennedy Center. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  9. ↑ "Masazumi Chaya" . Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  10. ↑ MacMillan, Kyle (27 March 2008). "With 50 years under its feet, Alvin Ailey stays true to tradition of branching out". The Denver Post. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  11. ↑ Dunning, Jennifer (21 December 2007). "Ailey Family Celebrates One of Its Own". The New York Times. Retrieved 23 March 2019.


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