Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s Fana Tesfagiorgis. Photo by Andrew Eccles

A Minute With: Fana Tesfagiorgis of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

From an interview with Savannah Robinson, Youth Radio

There’s nothing that beats that feeling of performing.

Even taking class: it’s a mental thing, it’s a spiritual thing, it’s an artistic experience. Every tendu, every plié, every exercise you’re doing is working towards being better, or sharing more, or being more generous. It’s really a journey every day. I can’t leave that journey.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s Fana Tesfagiorgis. Copyright Richard Calmes

When I was in my senior year at Ailey/Fordham I got to teach the first steps program and that’s the children’s group age 3–6 years old.

Just seeing the light that goes on in their eyes when they’re learning a new step or trying something for the second time when they didn’t succeed the first time. Just seeing that joy. I really appreciate that.

Fana Tesfagiorgis (right) with Youth Radio’s Savannah Robinson (left). Photo: Denise Tejada

I love assisting choreographers. Something about getting meticulous with the work and getting things exact. Cleaning and polishing the material so the message comes through even greater. I love that.

Fana Tesfagiorgis is a graduate of the Ailey/Fordham B.F.A. Program in Dance, with a minor in journalism. She joined the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 2013.