"I feel like I'm leaving my child!" calls out Dwana Smalwood, as the studio door clicks shut behind her. She feigns a weeping expression - wide eyes glancing backward, lithe arms gesturing loningly - then lets out a self-effacing laugh, knowing she'll be back right after lunch.
When it comes to cities that fuel the creative flair, Pittsburgh isn't usually the first to spring to mind. But don't tell Kyle Abraham. This dancers and choreographer has been mining that town for material his entire career.
In the midst of new chapters beginning and old ones ending in my career, I couldn't think of a more appropriate question to ask myself than why I dance. The last couple of years have been extremely challenging emotionally and physically. Having to adjust to a management position while maintaining my body as a dancer at 38 is no joke!
For six weeks this summer, more than 100 city kids will learn dance techniques in Washington Heights from some of the best trained dancers in the country. AileyCamp, a program of the world-famous Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, kicked off last week, transforming IS 90 into a dancer's playground.
Chanel Clersaint, 14, is all smiles as she works on her form during a dance class at AileyCamp Miami, a six-week summer camp taking place at the Arsht Center. The camp, in its fourth season, brings together children ages 11 to 14 who are struggling with poverty, crime, single-parent households and other challenges.
At the opening night of Ailey II's New York season in April, the last under Sylvia Waters' direction, the house was full of tears, cheers, and - before any dancing had even occured - a standing ovation.
Christopher Cuomo, ABC News 20/20 anchor and extreme-fitness investigator for Men's Health, goes toe-to toe- with Alvin Ailey's dancers to learn how they develop world-class jumping power, insanely strong cored, and outrageous flexibility.
The dance company that was part of the civil rights movement - the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater opens its summer season in Paris to standing ovations.
"I believe that dance came from the people and that it should always be delivered back to the people," said Alvin Ailey. His esteemed Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is one of the most highly celebrated dance companies in the world probably for that very reason - they know how to engage an audience.