Thursday, October 1, 2026
The South Side High School International Baccalaureate dance program had a rare and unforgettable opportunity: a master class led by professional dancers from the renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
Made possible by a Rockville Centre Education Foundation grant, the experience showcased the dedication and the growing skill of the student dancers.
During last Friday’s class at New York City Center, students learned three sections of “Revelations,” the iconic work created by the choreographer Alvin Ailey in 1960 that has become the world’s most widely viewed modern dance piece. The South Side students returned to the center on Tuesday to watch the dancers who had worked with them perform “Revelations” live.
The Ailey company’s commitment to sharing dance with the broader community — rooted in Ailey’s belief that dance should be accessible to everyone — guides its work with students and schools, according to Christina Ferrara-Muter, South Side’s IB dance teacher.
The dancers learned three excerpts from the masterpiece, taught by two Ailey company members using the Horton technique, the foundational style of Lester Horton, a dancer, choreographer, teacher and modern dance pioneer who influenced Ailey. The sections — “Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel,” “Wade in the Water” and “Rocka My Soul in the Bosom of Abraham” — gave students a powerful introduction to the artistry and athleticism that define Ailey’s work.
Ailey often spoke of creating from his “blood memories,” the lived experiences, emotions and cultural history passed through generations of Black communities confronting oppression. Those memories became the foundation of “Revelations,” transforming his personal history into a universal expression of faith, suffering, endurance and joy through dance.
Kelly Walsh, a junior at South Side and a member of the IB class, said the experience left a lasting impression.
“Taking class at NYCC with Ailey dancers didn’t just impact my dancing — it completely changed my perspective on history,” Walsh said in an e-mail. “The pieces we learned, and that Ailey created, relate to the civil rights movement and represent a sense of hope and faith at that time. Learning and understanding the choreography of Alvin Ailey was truly a transformative experience because of how he took his suffering, made it into movement and created happiness through dance.”
Ferrara-Muter said the timing of the workshop was intentional.
“I wanted them to learn from the dancers before the performance,” she said, noting that experiencing the choreography with their own bodies helped the students better understand its depth onstage. “I really think that will enhance their appreciation for the piece, the movement, the sheer athleticism that the piece demands.”
Working within the Horton technique, Ailey’s signature style, was eye-opening for many of the students. With the IB cohort still small due to its recent launch — and only a handful of students having prior experience in modern dance — the workshop introduced them to a movement style that was both unfamiliar and exhilarating. Learning the choreography directly from company dancers made clear the technique’s physical intensity and precision.
“Horton technique is beautiful and quite challenging,” Ferrara-Muter said in an email. “I know the students have a newfound appreciation for this style of dance now after taking class and watching the piece live.”
Watching her students absorb the work firsthand was meaningful for Ferrara-Muter as well.
“It was truly thrilling to watch these students learn from professional dancers,” she said.
She noted that the experience was in keeping with the purpose of the IB dance program, which prioritizes cultural exposure and diversity in dance traditions.
“Having our students learn ‘Revelations’ choreography directly from company dancers not only aligns perfectly with IB goals, but offers a transformative experience they will never forget.” Ferrara-Muter added.
Nicole Vanco, a senior in the dance program, said she was deeply moved by the technique and the history behind the work.
“Being taught Alvin Ailey’s signature style, technique and choreography gave us authentic exposure to the professional dance world,” she said in an email. “It was an inspiring and deeply positive experience that broadened our understanding of what is possible in dance.”
The setting added to the impact. Inside the historic studio, students danced on the same floors where generations of celebrated artists have trained.
“The students were captivated by the sheer elegance of the iconic New York City Center studio,” Ferrara-Muter said. “You could feel the history in the walls; it seemed to move through your whole body, making the entire experience exhilarating.”
When the class ended, she added, “Every student was in awe.”
