The Style Dialogues

Hope Boykin: "Petite Powerhouse"

On February 2, 2017, I had the pleasure of interviewing the lovely, talented, and stylish: Hope Boykin. She is an educator, artist, dancer, choreographer, creator and writer: the “Petite Powerhouse” of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Boykin grew up in Durham, NC, at the age of 4; Hope’s mother introduced her to dance and gymnastics, as a great outlet for her being a very active and energetic child. As a little girl, her mother took her to The American Dance Festival in Durham, North Carolina, to see a performance by Alvin Ailey where Mr. Ailey received the Scripps Award; this was the beginning of Hope Boykin’s love of dance and she tributes her mother for being the catalyst for her dance career.

Later, Ms. Boykin became a three-time recipient of the American Dance Festival’s Young Tuition Scholarship. She attended Howard University and while in Washington, DC she performed with Lloyd Whitmore’s New World Dance Company. Ms. Boykin became a student and intern at The Ailey School. She joined the dance company in 2000 and was assistant to the late Talley Beatty and an original member of Complexions. Ms. Boykin was a member of Philadanco and received a New York Dance and Performance Award (“Bessie”). In 2005, Ms. Boykin choreographed Acceptance In Surrender in collaboration with Abdur-Rahim Jackson and Matthew Rushing for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Most recently she choreographed Go In Grace with award-winning singing group Sweet Honey In The Rock for the Alvin Ailey’s 50th anniversary season.

Boykin’s divine spirit and incomparable gift as a dancer and choreographer transcends ingenuity. “Ailey Jazz” program features Boykin’s latest original choreographed piece “r-Evolution, Dream”, premiered at the Fox Theater in Atlanta, GA in the interim of their annual tour on Thursday, February 16, 2017 at 8 pm which highlighted original music by Ali Jackson (Jazz at Lincoln Center) and narration by Tony Award winner Leslie Odum, Jr. (Hamilton).

As, I sat in my seat at the Fox Theater, I was in awe of the movement and fluidity of the dancers. The choreography of Hope left me speechless, for me it was a dream come true, because I had always wanted to see an Alvin Ailey Dance Company performance for years. I had always wanted to be a dancer in my other life...LOL... it's true! Imagine me, I have always had a love for dance. If you have love for the arts, please make a must do list to see the Alvin Ailey Dance Company.. it is an awesome experience.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Matthew Rushing ODETTA Photo by Mike Strong.jpg

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Matthew Rushing's ODETTA. Photo by Mike Strong

Revelations

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Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's Hope Boykin in Matthew Rushing's ODETTA. Photo by Steve Wilson

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Hope Boykin and the cast of “r-Evolution, Dream”. Photo by Naya Samuel

Hope Boykin

Hope Boykin and Actress Phylicia Rashad Photo by Naya Samuel

Courtesy of Moments by Hope Boykin

Ms. Boykin’s inspiration for creating such a thought provoking and prolific commemorated ensemble “r-Evolution, Dream” was influenced by Dr. Martin Luther King’s sermons and speeches, which she experienced during a visit to Atlanta’s Center for Civil and Human Rights. In honor of Dr. King, she felt motivated to add movement to the way Dr. King spoke in his speeches. The most important thing that Boykin wants to convey to her audience is that we must continue to march on; we must embrace love and must continue to come together and never limit ourselves. There is more to work to be done and there is more to fight for and it is our obligation to keep the Dream alive, as we are not finished, and fight is not over. Our self-revolution has to happen with us first and the more we work on the transformation of our mind and spirit, the more we evolve and that is why the evolution is primary...in the revolution. ”r-Evolution, Dream” is a monumental achievement and is relevant to date.

Courtesy of Moments by Hope Boykin

As a dancer, Boykin has her own personal dance expression called “movement language”. Her dance is majestic and it defines who she is. To get to know Hope, is to watch her move… it forces her to be transparent... choreography and her mission as a dancer is a foreseen vessel with the use of movement and dance to tell a story.

Faith has played a very important role in the success of Boykin’s career professionally and in her personal life. Nothing that she is or to do with her, that is not a miracle, she has clarification that she is walking in her calling and that her steps have been ordered, she understands that she is not perfect and she has grown in her faith, she has witnessed the things in her life that was thought to be impossible, somehow has become the possible. She is blessed to be a traveling missionary and cultural ambassador to the world through dance. Ms. Boykin has written a self-published book and she frequents open-mic night. Ms. Boykin has an Instagram page called Moments by Hope where you can read her writing passages. Ms. Boykin’s words of wisdom for aspiring artists... “Do the thing that is calling you and never let anyone put limitations on your dreams”. All dreams.. hoped for ..can be achieved, if you believe.