Ailey II: The Next Generation of Dance Set for bergenPAC Tonight

Bergen Performing Arts Center located at 30 North Van Brunt Street in Englewood, New Jersey presents Ailey II: The Next Generation of Dance, tonight, November 4, 2015 at 7:30PM. Purchase tickets to see the next generation of dance at www.ticketmaster.com or Box Office at 201.227.1030.

The talented dancers of Ailey II are renowned for captivating audiences and translating their strength and agility into powerful performances. They are known for merging the spirit and energy of the country's best young dance talent with the passion and creative vision of today's most outstanding emerging choreographers.

Under the artistic direction of Troy Powell, this critically-acclaimed company presents vibrant performances and innovative community programs across the country and internationally. After three record-breaking seasons as Artistic Director under his belt, Troy Powell announces four richly diverse new commissions in his fourth year at the helm of the Company. The Ailey spirit shines as the artists perform a diverse repertory that includes two thrilling new works - Kyle "JustSole" Clark's I Am The Road and Ray Mercer's Something Tangible - in addition to Alvin Ailey's timeless classic Revelations.

Founded in 1974, the company embodies Mr. Ailey's pioneering mission to establish an extended cultural community that provides dance performances, training, and community programs for all people. Under the direction of Sylvia Waters, Ailey II flourished into one of the most popular dance companies in the county.

Past engagements have taken place at the world-famous Apollo Theater and The Joyce Theater. The company's repertory has included works by dance masters Alvin Ailey, Talley Beatty, Donald Byrd, Ulysses Dove, George W. Faison, Lar Lubovitch, Judith Jamison and Ailey's Artistic Director Robert Battle as well as works by rising choreographers such as Sidra Bell, Thang Dao, Carlos dos Santos, and Christopher L. Huggins.

On July 1, 2012, Troy Powell became only the second person to lead Ailey II since its inception in 1974. A native New Yorker, Mr. Powell began his dance training at the age of nine as a scholarship student at The Ailey School. Following his graduation from The High School of Performing Arts, he became a member of Ailey II and then joined Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1991. He toured throughout the United States, South America, Europe, and South Africa for ten years with the Company before becoming a master teacher at The Ailey School and resident choreographer of Ailey II. Mr. Powell has choreographed ballets for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ailey II, The Ailey School, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, National Dance Company of the Bahamas, and Alaska Dance Theater, as well as three episodes of "Sesame Street."

His guest artist credits include performing with companies including Batsheva, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, and Complexions. Mr. Powell has been featured in an American Express commercial with the Ailey company and has also appeared on television in George C. Wolfe's The Colored Museum, the PBS Great Performances: Dance in America special "A Hymn for Alvin Ailey," choreographed by Judith Jamison, "America's Next Top Model," and most recently the Polish version of "So You Think You Can Dance."

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