Jazz and Contemporary Dance Leaders

Alvin Ailey founded the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1958. He was also its artistic director until his death in 1989.

Katherine Dunham founded The Katherine Dunham School of Arts and Research in 1945. The school is located in New York City and offers training in jazz dance, African dance, and other dance forms.

Rodney Gustafson is the current artistic director of the Jazz Dance Theatre of San Francisco. He has been in this position since 2012.

Luigi founded The Luigi Jazz Center in 1966. The school is located in New York City and offers training in jazz dance, tap dance, and ballet.

Cleo Parker Robinson founded the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble in 1970. The ensemble is based in Denver, Colorado, and is known for its performances of jazz dance, African dance, and other dance forms.

Gus Giordano founded The Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago in 1963. The school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and offers training in jazz dance, tap dance, and ballet.

Glenn Edgerton is the current artistic director of the Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. He has been in this position since 2018.

Chuck Davis founded The Chuck Davis Dance Academy in 1974. The academy is located in Denver, Colorado, and offers training in jazz dance, African dance, and other dance forms.

Ronald K. Brown founded the Ronald K. Brown/Evidence Dance Company in 1985. The company is based in Brooklyn, New York, and is known for its performances of jazz dance, African dance, and other dance forms.

Dianne McIntyre founded The Dianne McIntyre/Sounds in Motion in 1978. The company is based in New York City and is known for its performances of jazz dance, African dance, and other dance forms.

Joan Myers Brown founded the Philadanco in 1970. The company is based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and is known for its performances of jazz dance, African dance, and other dance forms.

Talley Beatty founded The Talley Beatty Dance Company in 1955. The company was based in New York City and was known for its performances of jazz dance, African dance, and other dance forms.

Arthur Mitchell founded the Dance Theatre of Harlem in 1969. The company is based in New York City and is known for its performances of jazz dance, ballet, and other dance forms.

Judith Jamison founded The Ailey School in 1984. The school is located in New York City and offers training in jazz dance, modern dance, and ballet.

Robert Battle founded the Robert Battle Dance Company in 2002. The company is based in Brooklyn, New York, and is known for its performances of jazz dance, modern dance, and other dance forms.