Oprah gives $1 million to Ailey School

[Alexandra]

Big news in the dance world -- this press release just in.

Oprah Winfrey Gives $1 Million to The Ailey School

Oprah Winfrey Scholars Program to offer students the chance to study at the prestigious Ailey School

(New York, New York)--Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Artistic Director Judith Jamison recently announced a $1 million gift from the Oprah Winfrey Foundation to establish the Oprah Winfrey Scholars Program. This donation is to create a permanent endowment for 4 – 8 talented students to study each year at The Ailey School, students who would not otherwise be able to afford the School’s high-caliber professional training. “Oprah Winfrey’s generous gift will provide a world of inspiration and opportunity for aspiring young dance students. Her leadership will help extend Mr. Ailey’s pioneering legacy far into the future,” said Ms. Jamison.

The Oprah Winfrey Foundation scholarships will be provided in perpetuity to students between the ages of 18 to 23 for full-time study at The Ailey School. Recipients will benefit from a comprehensive array of technique classes, performance opportunities and support services that enable them to develop into versatile and expressive dancers, well-prepared for the rigors of a professional career.

Ninety percent of the current members of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater are former students—a great testament to the success of The Ailey School’s training. Graduates have also joined other renowned dance companies around the world and appear frequently on Broadway, television and in film.

“The first Oprah Winfrey scholars will be students from the Chicago area who are selected at The Ailey School audition in the city in May,” said The Ailey School Director Denise Jefferson. “The Oprah Winfrey Foundation gift will have a lasting impact on generations of talented and hardworking students—giving them the opportunity to receive a world-class education in The Ailey’s new center for dance.” Ailey’s new home, which is currently under construction, will be the largest facility in the United States dedicated exclusively to dance. Slated for completion in November 2004, the 77,000 square-foot state-of-the-art building will consist of 12 studios, a library, an archive, costume shop, physical therapy facilities and a 5,000 square-foot black box theater. Oprah Winfrey scholars will have the opportunity to study, learn and perform in this extraordinary new building.

Oprah Winfrey, talk show host, actress, producer, magazine founder and editorial director, educator and philanthropist, established The Oprah Winfrey Foundation to support the inspiration, empowerment and education of women, children and families around the world.

Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation will continue its commitment to raising funds for students to attend The Ailey School on scholarship with a gala event at the Apollo Theater on June 2, 2004. The Ailey returns to the historic Apollo Theater in Harlem, “where stars are born and legends are made,” for a one-night-only event featuring performances by gifted students from The Ailey School, as well as artists of the world famous Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and the dynamic young dancers of Ailey II. This extraordinary performance will begin at 7 PM at the Apollo Theater (253 West 125th Street, between 7th and 8th Avenues) and will be followed by a gala reception. The event’s celebrity guests include india.arie, Jesse L. Martin, Natalie Portman and Matthew St. Patrick. Attire: festive dress. Prices for gala tickets range from $150-$10,000. To purchase tickets, please call Quay Whitlock at (212) 767-0590 ext. 223.

Proceeds from the gala will provide scholarship assistance to deserving students of The Ailey School. This internationally renowned training institution serves approximately 3,500 students annually, offering more than 200 classes per week. The Ailey School is the official school of the prestigious and critically acclaimed Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

[Juliet]

This is wonderful news.

I hope others in the same economic bracket will be tempted to follow suit......

[carbro]

. . . others in the same economic bracket . . .

How many of those do you think there are?

Oprah for President!

[Alexandra]

Enough to fund the arts in this country, if they cared! Think of the Oil Guys, not to mention the Lords of Silicon Valley and its Seattle suburbs. And then there are the NBA and the NFL multi-Ms. Not to mention the Sitcom Stars that make $1 million per episode.....