Alvin Ailey Principal Dancer Brings Her Dominican Sazón To The Stage

Belen Pereyra, 28, is a Dominican principal dancer entering her sixth season with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, credited with popularizing modern dance since 1958.  The dance company has performed unique and captivating African American choreography for an estimated 26 million people in 71 countries across six continents.

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“I’m always a student at Ailey, and that’s refreshing,” Pereyra told Fox News Latino. “It’s a rigorous schedule and physically demanding with such diversity of movement, but I get to do what I love.”

Alvin Ailey dancer Belen Pereyra from Lawrence,MA shares with us what it means to perform at home : “It’s exciting to be here at the Citi Wang Theater. I used to come here when I was younger and it was a very magical place where I would come see Boston Ballet but as I got older to see Alvin Ailey. It’s a such a privilege to come back and share so much with the people that have helped me come this far. It’s a great opportunity for me to give back”. @alvinailey #alvinailey #celebrityseries #aileyontour #aileyinboston #belenpereyra

A photo posted by Celebrity Series of Boston (@celebrityseries) on Mar 19, 2016 at 11:15am PDT

Both of Pereyra’s parents were engineers in the Dominican Republic, but dreamed of a better life for themselves and their children. They decided to leave and migrate to the U.S. when Pereyra was only four-years old. With Dominican roots and a flavorful culture, she says her background listening to Latin music makes it easier to dance African music.

“I see lots of Latin influences in Ronald K. Brown’s work,” Pereyra told Latin Heat.  “He’s a tremendous choreographer and we’re now performing his GRACE, which feels very Afro-Cuba. When I perform it I feel like I’m doing a Merengue.”

Sisters know how to go there! #belenpereyra #andreweccles #flight #art #dance #AlvinAiley

A photo posted by Khamit Kinks (@khamitkinks) on Feb 12, 2016 at 4:28am PST

Successfully fulfilling her parents’ dreams of excelling in this country, she attended Boston Arts Academy on a full scholarship and graduated as valedictorian. Shortly after Pereyra started working for Alvin Ailey, until she finally built up the courage to audition for the company herself.

“I would get three free classes a day. After getting up the courage to audition, I went into hardcore mode and began training,” she said. “I studied everything Ailey and killed my audition.”

So proud of this woman!! Aka my Sister. #belenpereyra Dance is one of the hardest fields to be a part of. So many women and so few spots. I knew the day she got in I did too. I’ve been screaming for us ever since. LOL. One of the hardest working artists I know. I love her to pieces!! I’m just smiling because I know her career will be incredible! #mysisrocks #AAADT #bam #proud #love #dancer #artist #beast

A photo posted by JaFo (@faithjrf) on Oct 3, 2013 at 10:02am PDT

In 2014, President Barack Obama awarded the Alvin Ailey Dance Company with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States. “I’m so honored to be apart of this. The more I learn about Ailey’s impact, I think that’s what a career should feel like,” she said.

Belen Pereyra will be performing with the rest of the dance company at Lincoln Center June 8-19.