PHILIPSBURG--Talented St. Maarten dancer Tyra Els has been selected to perform in the ballet “Memoria” with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre in New York on December 3, 4 and 10.
Els was invited to audition with 150 other students of the Ailey School to potentially perform “Memoria” with the Ailey Company. After auditioning, Els received notice that she was selected, along with 25 other students, to perform with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre in the prestigious City Centre Theatre. The ballet was choreographed by Ailey himself.
Els is considered a very diligent and hard worker. She puts her all into everything that she does, a dedication she also demonstrated during the successful gala she conducted at Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise and Cargo Facilities in August, to raise funds to continue her dance education in the United States.
Els thanked everyone who has supported her thus far including incumbent Prime Minister William Marlin, the Ministry of Education, former Minister of Tourism and Economic Affairs Claret Connor, Port of St. Maarten, Windward Islands Bank, her mother Florencia Wilson, Mylene Engel, Nicole de Weever, Joan Dovale-Meit, her local dance instructors Ihndhira Marlin and Susha Hien, family members and friends
