Elisa Monte

Elisa Monte has been widely recognized as an important innovator and contributor to contemporary dance. She is a former principal dancer with the Martha Graham Company and also danced with Lar Lubovitch and Pilobolus. Monte’s signature style, recognized as daring, intense, and passionate, is classical and highly athletic. Rooted in sensuality and controlled, sustained energy, Monte’s work is notable for its expansive range of movement. Hers is a diverse vocabulary that refuses stylistic conformity.  Monte founded her company, Elisa Monte Dance (EMD) in 1981 and sat as Artistic Director until  2016. She has choreographed more than 50 works danced by countless domestic and international companies, some being  Boston Ballet, Batsheva Dance, Martha Graham Dance Co.San Francisco Ballet, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, Teatro alla Scala Ballet, Philadanco, Dallas Black Dance Theatre. She is thrilled to have Treading back in this seasons' Ailey repertory and thankful to Alvin Ailey for his support and trust in her work.