For almost 50 years, Associate Artistic Director Masazumi Chaya has been a shining light at the Ailey organization, with a passion and commitment to sharing the vision of founder Alvin Ailey. Having joined the Company in 1972 as a dancer, Mr. Chaya performed under Alvin Ailey’s direction for 15 years, subsequently assumed responsibility for rehearsing the Company—a role for which Mr. Ailey had cultivated him—and for more than 28 years, as Associate Artistic Director has shepherded the Ailey legacy.