Alvin Ailey dancer Coral Dolphin comes full circle 

(News4usOnline) – There’s nothing like being in the present for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (AAADT) performer Coral Dolphin. The 32-year-old Dolphin has seen her dancing career come full circle. 

She began her dance journey at age nine. Dolphin’s formal introduction into the world of dance was through the renowned Debbie Allen Dance Academy. 

“All of the advice and all that Debbie Allen has gifted us in her school are timeless and are pieces that I carry with me today,” Dolphin shared. “She made sure that she raised artists who were not only curious, but left with the skill set of versatility. She had a school that provided ballet, African, Flamenco, tap, jazz, salsa, aerial silk, and even acting. So, she basically wanted us to be the triple-threat that she loved, if not more.”

Since then, Dolphin has seen dance take over her life. Her professional dance career has included working with Madonna, Cardi B., Janet Jackson, Lenny Kravitz, and Beyoncé. She has even appeared in a Broadway production (Oklahoma!). All that work has paid off handsomely for Dolphin. 

She is now in her second year dancing for the AAADT. And she loves every minute of it. That’s especially true when the dance ensemble performs in the Southern California region. This is home for Dolphin. Being home means you can catch up with old friends and visit family. 

Dolphin caught such a break this spring. AAADT is scheduled to perform at the Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion from April 2 to April 6, 2025. 

“It’s always exciting to come home just to catch up with family and friends and also being able to perform for them,” Dolphin said in a phone interview with Dennis J. Freeman. “It’s been so many years before joining this company because this is my second year. So, prior to my first year with the company, it’s been over…I would say like too many years since my family has seen me perform. So, it’s always a great time to come back home.”

AAADT began with a vision by the late Alvin Ailey. Those dreams and aspirations have mushroomed into a dance company that now has a global reach. AAADT has also become the preeminent Black dance company in the U.S. Dolphin said being part of AAADT is surreal. 

“It means everything, not only as an artist, but as an African American woman,” Dolphin remarked. “I recently went to the exhibit, ‘Edges of Ailey,’  at the Whitney Museum [of African Art], and it was beautifully curated and showcased Mr. Ailey’s legacy from beginning to end in the most profound way that has just put a deeper understanding as to why we artists do what we do.” 

“[This] just really kind of brightened up the light on this path, this journey as an artist for me and just made me a bit more excited and like confirmation as well that we’re just all on the right path. It means a lot,” she added.   

As wonderful as Dolphin and the rest of the AAADT look on stage to audiences, it is not as easy as it looks. Beng on that level of professional performance, especially with the AAADT, requires some sacrifices. 

That includes watching one’s diet, going to bed early, and being disciplined. A strong will to be part of the legendary group won’t hurt. 

“There are many challenges that I have to come across, not just physically, but also, you know, mentally, spiritually, the discipline that it requires,” Dolphin said. “It’s quite a demanding schedule, and you have to want to be here in order to succeed.” 

Dolphin continues, “Discipline such as like, you know, having a strict bedtime, strict no prep, also being diligent with your warmups and your cool-downs after the performances, and just how you’re taking care of your body outside of work hours is also important and challenging at times when there is hardly time for self,” she went on to say.  

To piggyback off her reflection on the disciplinary measures it takes to be a part of the AAADT, Dolphin responded with a short and sweet answer when asked how long she intends to keep dancing. 

“If I could dance forever, I would,” she said. “If my body allows it.” 

The essence of the AAADT, when you watch the group perform, is a deep sense of spirituality embodied by the dancers. It breathes purpose and a sense of being. This is especially true when the soul-reveal number of  “Revelations” brings the house down with its somber anti-climatic message. 

“There are so many who come to see Ailey just to see Revelations, and I don’t blame them,” Dolphin said. “It’s such a beautiful piece of work. I mean, I  feel that Ailey really wanted to treat a body of work that was a reflection of the people who were coming to the performances. He wanted the audience to see themselves in the dancers. And I think because of that intention is the reason why the work is timeless.” 

Featured Image: Credit Photo: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s James Gilmer and Coral Dolphin in Alonzo King’s Following the Subtle Current Upstream. Photo by Paul Kolnik