Chalvar Monteiro (Montclair, NJ) began his formal dance training at Sharron Miller's Academy for the Performing Arts and went on to study at The Ailey School. He received his BFA in dance from SUNY Purchase, where he performed works by Merce Cunningham, Helen Pickett, Doug Varone, Dianne McIntyre, Kevin Wynn, and Paul Taylor. Since graduating, Mr. Monteiro has worked with Sidra Bell Dance New York, Elisa Monte Dance, Keigwin + Company, BODYTRAFFIC, and most extensively with Abraham.In.Motion. He has assisted Kyle Abraham in setting and creating work for Barnard College, Princeton University, Emory University, NYU Tisch School of the Arts, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and Wendy Whelan's Restless Creature. Mr. Monteiro was a member of Ailey II and joined the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 2015. He is currently an Adjunct professor at NYU Tisch School of the Arts.
“Getting back in touch with spirit needs to be a priority…
We’re all trying to get to the same goal:
Peace, love, understanding.”
“One thing [I hope] will have changed coming out of this (pandemic) is that there’s more grace for both the choreographer and whoever they’re collaborating with to really establish language… understanding that we have to allow our words and actions to really manifest and to be okay with whatever interpretation you’re giving back.”
“This pandemic really changed the game for me in terms of ‘What does it look like to keep in shape?’ ‘What does it look like to look forward to the future and how long do I hold out for that?’”
“I want to see black people dancers in the future occupying more roles of leadership. For black people to be a people of rhythm, to be people of spirit and innovation, it only makes sense for us to be leaders in places where, if it wasn’t for our contributions to the space, nothing would be moving forward culturally. Not only more black people in leadership but I really want to emphasize black women being at the forefront of a lot of leadership.”
