Exciting news for Westport native, Grace Bergonzi, who was recently accepted into the prestigious and world renowned modern dance company, Ailey II, based in New York City. Founded in 1974 as the Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble, the company embodies his pioneering mission to establish an extended cultural community that provides dance performances, training, and community programs for all people. Under the direction of Sylvia Waters from 1974 to 2012 and currently under the direction of Troy Powell, Ailey II has flourished into one of the most popular modern dance companies, combining a rigorous touring schedule with extensive community outreach programs.
Grace’s talent and love for dance was fostered locally at Westport’s Academy of Dance, where she was trained from ages 3 thru 18. Upon graduating from Staples High School, Ms. Bergonzi continued on to graduate summa cum laude from the Ailey/Fordham BFA Program in Dance with a minor in Business. She has attended summer intensives at Alonzo King LINES Ballet and The School at Jacob’s Pillow. Grace performed works by choreographers Robert Battle, Stephanie Batten Bland, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Jae Man Joo, Ray Mercer, and Matthew Rushing and appeared in Alvin Ailey’s Memoria during Ailey’s 2016 New York City Center season. In 2017, Ms. Bergonzi was also featured in Dance Spirit magazine’s May/June issue.
Ailey II’s 2018–2019 tour will reach audiences in dozens of cities across the globe and includes a New York season from March 13–17, 2019, at NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts
