Rave reviews are rare, especially in the competitive world of international dance. So it was a big deal when The New York Times opened a recent review with, “Among the many superb dancers of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Antonio Douthit-Boyd has risen to a special magnificence. He’s in his prime.”
And it’s an even bigger deal that Antonio and his spouse and fellow dancer, Kirven Douthit-Boyd, are joining COCA (Center of Creative Arts) as co-artistic directors of dance. “Antonio and Kirven are two of the top dancers in the world,” says COCA executive director Kelly Pollock. “We’re thrilled they’re retiring at the peak of their careers to devote themselves to educating the next generation of dancers here.”
For the last nine years, Antonio and Kirven have mentored COCA dance students and served as visiting choreographers. “The students, faculty and staff are like family to us,” says Antonio, a St. Louisan who learned to dance at COCA. “We’re ready to bring what we’ve learned on international stages to COCA students.” After a farewell tour with Alvin Ailey, the Douthit-Boyds will assume their new roles in August. They will teach classes and oversee all dance operations, including those at the pre-professional level.
“Our renowned pre-professional dance division has a great track record over the last decade,” Pollock says. “All of our alums have gone on to a university or a professional training program, and many of them are the first in their families to attend college. Our grads dance with the best companies and on the Broadway stage, and one alum is a leading dance historian at Stanford University.” About 65 percent of students in the program are on scholarship.
COCA, established in 1986, serves more than 50,000 area residents annually with arts classes, camps and workshops, both on site and at community venues. “Our mission is to enrich lives and build community by making high-quality arts education available to St. Louisans of all ages, incomes and abilities,” Pollock explains. “Each year, we provide programs at no cost to low-income schools and more than 400 scholarships to area students. We couldn’t do any of this without COCAcabana.”
COCAcabana is the organization’s signature event and only fundraiser. “It accounts for nearly one-third of our annual contributed revenue,” Pollock says. This year’s gala, themed Night to Shine, takes place April 24 at COCA. Presenting sponsor for the sixth consecutive year is Anheuser-Busch; Town&Style serves as print partner. Chairs are Rhonda and Carlton Adams, Jennifer and Tom Hillman, Megan and Cliff Holekamp, and Susan and Michael Scully. Honorary chair is COCA founding faculty member Lee Nolting, Antonio’s former dance teacher.
“Miss Lee, as she’s affectionately known, has been a loving, nurturing mentor to Antonio and thousands of other dance students over the years,” Pollock says. “We hope you’ll join us in paying tribute to her at Night to Shine. Wear anything that sparkles—in honor of the rising stars at COCA!”
[COCAcabana 2015: Night to Shine, the arts organization’s signature fundraiser, takes place April 24 at COCA, 524 Trinity Ave. in University City. For more information, contact Virginia Howell at vhowell@cocastl.org or 314.561.4870, or visit cocastl.org/cocacabana. Hair and makeup by Breeze Blow Dry Bar.]
Pictured: COCA founding faculty member Lee Nolting, center, will be honored at COCAcabana 2015.
Photo courtesy of COCA
