Masazumi Chaya

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Masazumi Chaya
Born (1947-02-21) February 21, 1947 (age 78)
Occupation(s) Choreographer, dancer
Years active1972–present

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

Contents


Early life

Chaya was born to a doctor and nurse [2] in Fukuoka, Japan, and trained in classical ballet. [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. [3] 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. [2] 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. [2] 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

References

  1. Kourlas, Gia (8 July 2019). "Alvin Ailey's Associate Artistic Director to Step Down". The New York Times. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  2. 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.
  3. 1 2 "Masazumi Chaya Celebrates 35 Years with Alvin Ailey Dance". Broadway World. 12 November 2017. 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.