Kelvin Rotardier

Kelvin Rotardier was born and raised in Port –of Spain, Trinidad, where he trained with Beryl McBurnie and performed at the Little Carib Theatre in the 1950s. In 1963, after moving to New York City, he received a scholarship to study at Jacob’s Pillow Dance and went on to join Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at the end of that summer. He originated roles in enduring works such as Alvin Ailey’s Night Creature and choreographed three works for the company in the 1970s and ’80s. Rotardier also appeared as a guest artist with the Harkness Ballet. After his retirement from the stage in 1975, he became an esteemed member of The Ailey School faculty. In 1984, he established and was the first director of the Ailey Student Performance Group. Rotardier died in February 2016 at the age of 85.