Carmen de Lavallade talks Alvin Ailey, Lester Horton, and her career

Living legend and Kennedy Center Honoree Carmen de Lavallade has had an accomplished career as a dancer, actor, and choreographer. She recalls growing up in East Los Angeles with her friend Alvin Ailey, the early dance classes they took with Lester Horton, and ultimately arriving in New York, where her career flourished. At the age of 92, Carmen continues to inspire and has some simple and powerful advice for young artists.

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Photograph of Carmen de Lavallade by Alicia Graf Mack.

Show art by Andrew Eccles courtesy of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

The Moving Moments theme song is composed by Saul Gaunipa, for Videohelper.

Moving Moments was co-created by Alicia Graf Mack, Jessica Handelman, and David Krauss.

This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.

Episode copyright © 2023 Artful Narratives Media.