Masazumi Chaya

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Masazumi Chaya
Born (1947-02-21) February 21, 1947 (age 74)
Fukuoka, Japan
OccupationChoreographer, dancer
Years active1972–present

Masazumi Chaya is a Japanese American dancer, choreographer and the associate artistic director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (AAADT).


Early life[]

Chaya was born and trained in classical ballet in Fukuoka, Japan,[1] to a doctor and nurse.[2] 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,[3] after questioning whether he was getting work in Japan for being a male, instead of for his ability.[4]

Career[]

Chaya performed with AAADT for fifteen years beginning in 1972, becoming rehearsal director after retiring from dancing in 1987[5][6] and also serving as choreographic assistant to Alvin Ailey before Ailey's death in 1989.[7] Chaya was named AAADT's associate artistic director in 1991 by Judith Jamison.[1] From 1991 to 2019, Chaya served as Associate Artistic Director of the Company. [8]

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.[5]

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.[9][5][10]

Former director Judith Jamison referred to him as the "miracle of this company," who "can remember details and dances like no other."[4]

Ballet stagings[]

  • Alvin Ailey's Flowers for the State Ballet of Missouri 1990
  • Alvin Ailey's The River for the Royal Swedish Ballet 1993, Ballet Florida 1995, National Ballet of Prague 1995, Pennsylvania Ballet 1996 and Colorado Ballet 1998

Ballet re-stagings[]

  • The Mooche for AAADT
  • The Stack-Up for AAADT
  • Episodes for AAADT
  • Bad Blood for AAADT
  • Hidden Rites for AAADT
  • Urban Folk Dance for AAADT
  • Witness for AAADT
  • The River for North Carolina Dance Theatre and Julio Bocca's Ballet Argentina
  • Blues Suite for AADT
  • Judith Jamison's Hymn for AADT

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b "Masazumi Chaya Celebrates 35 Years with Alvin Ailey Dance". Broadway World. 12 November 2017. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c Dunning, Jennifer (8 December 2002). "DANCE; An Aide of All Trades Who Keeps Things Moving". The New York Times. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  3. ^ "Masazumi Chaya". Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b 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.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b c Bleiberg (17 February 2006). "Dance: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater keeps the faith". Orange County Register. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  6. ^ "Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater: 50 Years Cultural Ambassador to the World". Library of Congress. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  7. ^ "Masazumi Chaya: Biography". The Kennedy Center. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  8. ^ "Masazumi Chaya". Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ Dunning, Jennifer (21 December 2007). "Ailey Family Celebrates One of Its Own". The New York Times. Retrieved 23 March 2019.

External links[]


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