Masazumi Chaya
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, to a doctor and nurse. 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, after questioning whether he was getting work in Japan for being a male, instead of for his ability. Career. Chaya performed with AAADT for  fifteen years beginning in 1972, becoming rehearsal director after retiring from dancing in 1987 and also serving as choreographic assistant to Alvin Ailey before Ailey's death in 1989. Chaya was named AAADT's associate artistic director in 1991 by Judith Jamison. From 1991 to 2019, Chaya served as Associate Artistic Director of the Company. Chaya has staged and re-staged various Ailey works, rehearsed dancers, and taught company class for AAADT. He primarily teaches Ailey dances that he has performed. 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. He's credited with providing continuity to AAADT over the years. Former director Judith Jamison referred to him as the "miracle of this company," who "can remember details and dances like no other."