Join us for an inspiring conversation with Francesca Harper, the artistic director of Ailey II, at the 2022 Dance Teacher Awards!
In this intimate hour-long conversation, Harper talks about the legacy that shaped her as a young artist while her mother and mentor, Denise Jefferson, was director at The Ailey School—and shares how she has been paving the path to a bright new future for the next generation of dancers at Ailey II.
Harper began her professional dance career with Dance Theatre of Harlem and was a member of William Forsythe’s Ballett Frankfurt from 1991–99 where she became a principal dancer in 1994. She has performed in several Broadway productions, including Fosse, The Color Purple and Sophisticated Ladies, and has choreographed works for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ailey II, DTH, Hubbard Street II, Tanz Graz, and The Francesca Harper Project, which she founded in 2005. In 2013, she received a Living History Award during Black History Month from Long Island University and the Innovation and Technology Award for her Fashion Week choreography with Louis Vuitton. Harper was the creator and directorial consultant for 16 world premiere virtual films, including a new creation for NYCB’s Wendy Whelan and poet Marc Bamuthi Joseph. She is currently pursuing an MFA in performance creation at Goddard College.
The 2022 Dance Teacher Awards ceremony will be honoring:
Awardee of Distinction: Kay Mazzo
Awardee of Distinction: Risa Steinberg
Ronald K. Alexander
Antonio & Kirven Douthit-Boyd
Kristine Elliott
Ana Nery Fragoso
Yvonne Gutierrez
Tickets are available for the ceremony only or for the ceremony with cocktail reception (inquire about group ticket pricing). Proceeds from the cocktail party fund the Dance Teacher Scholarship at MOVE|NYC|. Don’t miss the chance to join in community with and be inspired by this network of dance teachers.
Get your tickets now! We can’t wait to see you there!
