Masazumi Chaya

Masazumi Chaya was born in Fukuoka, Japan, where he began his classical ballet training. He performed on Japanese television in both dramatic and musical productions. Upon moving to New York in December 1970, he studied modern dance and performed with the Richard Englund Repertory Company. Mr. Chaya joined Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1972 and performed with the Company for 15 years. In 1988, he became the Company’s Rehearsal Director after serving as Assistant Rehearsal Director for two years. A master teacher, both on tour with the Company and in his native Japan, he served as choreographic assistant to Alvin Ailey and John Butler. From 1991 to 2019, Mr. Chaya served as Associate Artistic Director of the Company. Since retiring, he continues to provide invaluable creative assistance in all facets of its operations. 

Mr. Chaya has restaged numerous ballets, including Alvin Ailey’s Flowers for the State Ballet of Missouri (1990) and The River for the Royal Swedish Ballet (1993), Ballet Florida (1995), National Ballet of Prague (1995), Pennsylvania Ballet (1996), Colorado Ballet (1998), and Philadelphia Ballet (2024). At the beginning of his tenure as Associate Artistic Director, Mr. Chaya restaged Ailey’s For ‘Bird’ - With Love for a Dance in America program entitled Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater: Steps Ahead. In 2000, he restaged Ailey’s Night Creature for the Rome Opera House and The River for La Scala Ballet. In 2002 Mr. Chaya coordinated the Company’s appearance at the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree-lighting ceremony, broadcast on NBC. In 2003, he restaged The River for North Carolina Dance Theatre and for Julio Bocca’s Ballet Argentina. He has restaged Bad Blood, Blues Suite, Episodes, Hidden Rites, Love Songs, Masekela Langage, The Mooche, Pas de Duke, Stack-Up, Vespers, and Witness for the Company.  

Mr. Chaya is the recipient of a 2019 Dance Magazine Award and a 2022 honorary doctorate from Juilliard. He wishes to recognize the artistic contribution and spirit of his late friend and fellow artist, Michihiko Oka.  

Learn about the Masazumi Chaya Fund