Carmen de Lavallade grew up in a Mexican neighborhood in East Los Angeles and started dancing as a teenager. It was her time with Lester Horton that inspired her teaching and choreography career. She was so inspired she invited her junior high school friend Alvin Ailey, to study dance with Horton as well. Both dancers moved to New York to star in an all-star cast of the Broadway show "House of Flowers." On this show she met her husband, Geoffrey Holder who was "always chasing after me." Their love story of 60 years captured our hearts. Ms. de Lavallade is also the first cousin of Janet Collins, the first Black ballerina to perform at the Metropolitan Opera. When Ms. Collins retired from her position, Ms. de Lavallade was her replacement.
Dance under Ms. Carmen de Lavallade's influence became a celebration of Black talent in a variety of spaces. She's got the Kennedy Center Honor to prove it!
Brava, Ms. de Lavallade!
This episode first aired on KBLA Talk 1580, Los Angeles.
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