Alicia Graf Mack facts for kids

Alicia Graf Mack is a famous American dancer, teacher, and leader in the dance world. She was born Alicia J. Graf in 1978 or 1979. She danced with important groups like the Dance Theatre of Harlem and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. She has also performed with popular music artists such as Beyonce, John Legend, and Alicia Keys.

Ms. Graf Mack has taught dance at several universities. These include Washington University in St. Louis, Webster University, and the University of Houston. In 2018, she made history at the Juilliard School. She became the first Black Dean and Director of its Dance Division. She was also the youngest person to hold this important job. Many people say she helped "remake Juilliard Dance" during her time there. In November 2024, it was announced that she would leave Juilliard in 2025. She became the artistic director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater on July 1, 2025.

Early Life and Dance Beginnings

Alicia Graf Mack was born in San Jose, California. She grew up in Columbia, Maryland. Her father was white, and her mother was Black. Her mother was also a professor at Howard University. Alicia has mentioned that she is distantly related to a Russian artist named Léon Bakst. He designed costumes and sets for famous ballet shows.

Alicia started dancing when she was just three years old. By age 12, she was competing in dance. She went to a public high school and trained at Ballet Royale Academy. She also spent summers training at special dance programs. These included the American Ballet Theatre and the School of American Ballet.

Her Amazing Dance Career

Joining the Dance Theatre of Harlem

Graf Mack performing in Robert Garland's Return

When Alicia was a senior in high school, she took a class with the Dance Theatre of Harlem. This is a famous ballet company known for its African-American dancers. The company's founder, Arthur Mitchell, was very impressed. He offered her a chance to join the company as an apprentice.

At age 17, Alicia moved to New York to join the company. She finished high school at the Professional Children's School. She worked hard and was later promoted to a soloist dancer. This meant she performed important parts in ballets.

Challenges and New Paths

When Alicia was 19, she was diagnosed with a condition called ankylosing spondylitis. This condition affected her joints and required surgeries. Because of this, she left the Dance Theatre of Harlem. She then decided to study at Columbia University School of General Studies. She earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in history.

While studying, she also interned at a big company called JP Morgan. She learned about how companies give money to good causes. After she graduated, Arthur Mitchell asked her to return to the Dance Theatre of Harlem as a principal dancer. She rejoined the company and stayed until it closed in 2004. Alicia also tried out for other famous ballet companies. However, she was told they had enough female dancers and that she was too tall.

Dancing with Alvin Ailey

In 2005, Alicia Graf Mack joined the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. This is a very famous modern dance company. When she first performed with them, New York Times newspaper wrote that she was "so good she became the news of the night all by herself."

In 2008, she left the company because of an injury. She moved to St. Louis, Missouri. There, she studied for a master's degree in nonprofit management at Washington University in St. Louis. At the same time, she taught ballet and modern dance at Webster University. After finishing her degree, she became a full-time teacher at Webster University.

Returning to Ailey and Beyond

In 2011, Alicia Graf Mack rejoined the Ailey company. In 2013, she performed in the company's first show of Chroma by Wayne McGregor. She retired from dancing with the company in 2014. She then returned to Webster University and also taught at Washington University. Three years later, she joined the faculty at the University of Houston. She was also a visiting professor at Webster University.

Alicia also started a dance group called D(n)A Arts Collective with her sister, Daisha Graf. Daisha is a commercial dancer. As a guest dancer, Alicia performed with Alonzo King LINES Ballet. She also danced for famous musicians like Beyoncé, John Legend, Andre 3000, and Alicia Keys. She has also written for Pointe Magazine. She even wrote the cover story in 2014, which featured other amazing African-American ballet dancers.

Leading at Juilliard and Ailey

In 2018, it was announced that Alicia Graf Mack would become the Director of the Dance Division at the Juilliard School. This was a very important role. She was the first woman of color and the youngest person to ever hold this position. Later that year, after Arthur Mitchell passed away, she performed a special solo dance at his memorial. He had asked her to do it.

Starting on July 1, 2025, Ms. Graf Mack became the artistic director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. This is the largest modern dance company in the United States.

Personal Life

Alicia Graf Mack lives in New Jersey with her husband, Kirby Mack. She met Kirby when she was studying at Columbia University. They have two children, named Jordan and Laila.