New Jersey Dance Star Shay Bland to Shine in World Renowned Ailey II During New York Season 2014

Following a 31-city world tour, Ailey II, the youthful and gifted second company of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, returns to its home, the Ailey Citigroup Theater, from April 2 – 13, for a highly anticipated 40th anniversary season – the second led by Artistic Director Troy Powell.

Englewood, New Jersey native Shay Bland is making her debut as a first-year member of Ailey II. She attended the Professional Performing Arts High School in Manhattan and attended Rutgers University before taking leave to join Ailey II.

Bland is an avid art enthusiast who enjoys spending time at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.  She also loves yoga and practices as a way to keep her mind and body healthy. Bland is close with her family and has close ties within her New Jersey neighborhood.  She frequently goes back to teach at her old studio Progressive Dance Studio and was the rehearsal director for a junior company in New Jersey called Passion Flux.

Bland will be dancing in multiple works for the upcoming 2014 New York season, including Returning Favorites programs Virtues by Amy Hall Garner, Rusty by Paris-born choreographer Benoit-Swan Pouffer, and the All New programs Adam Barruch’s Alchemies and Jennifer Archibald’s Wings.

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SHAY BLAND (Englewood, NJ) began her dance training at Progressive Dance Studio under the direction of Jolene Perry. She graduated from Professional Performing Arts High School and attended Rutgers University, where she was awarded the James Dickson Carr Scholarship. Ms. Bland also trained at The Ailey School as a scholarship student and worked with choreographers Francesca Harper, Christian von Howard, Earl Mosley, Camille A. Brown, Christopher L. Huggins, Ray Mercer, Ronald K. Brown, and Danielle Agami. She participated in the Macy’s 50th Anniversary Thanksgiving Day Parade and performed in Alvin Ailey’s Memoria and Revelations with a cast of 50 during Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s 2012 New York City Center season.  This is her first year with Ailey II.

About Ailey II

Ailey II is universally renowned 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.

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.

After touring North America and abroad, Ailey II brings its critically acclaimed performances home each spring for an annual New York season at The Ailey Citigroup Theater. 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.

Ailey II flourished into one of the most popular dance companies in the country under the leadership of Sylvia Waters (1974 - 2012), combining a rigorous touring schedule with extensive community outreach programs. With new Artistic Director Troy Powell at the helm, Ailey II will continue to thrive as he brings a fresh dimension to this beloved company.