Masazumi Chaya

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Masazumi Chaya
Born (1947-02-21) February 21, 1947 (age 77)
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]


Early life[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

  • 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[edit]

  • 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[edit]

  1. ^ Kourlas, Gia (8 July 2019). "Alvin Ailey's Associate Artistic Director to Step Down". The New York Times. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Masazumi Chaya Celebrates 35 Years with Alvin Ailey Dance". Broadway World. 12 November 2017. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ "Masazumi Chaya". Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. 9 February 2010. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ a b c 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.

External links[edit]


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