Anjali Austin joined the ballet faculty in the School of Dance at Florida State University in 1995. A former member of Dance Theatre of Harlem for thirteen years, Anjali has worked with noted teachers and choreographers such as Agnes de Mille, Louis Johnson, Alexandra Danilova, Glen Tetley, Valerie Bettis, Geoffrey Holder, and Frederick Franklin. Some of the ballets she has performed are Billy the Kid, Swan Lake (Act II), Serenade, Flower Festival, Dougla, Concerto Barocco, Prince Igor, Paquita and Frankie and Johnny; in which she had a vocal role. Also to her credits are PBS television specials Fall River Legend, A Streetcar Named Desire and Creole Giselle.
As a member of the Dance faculty at Florida State University Ms. Austin teaches ballet and pointe, choreographs, and mentors undergraduate and graduate dance majors. She introduced Gyrotonic and Gyrokinesis methodology to students and faculty and has received administrative support for the purchase of two Pulley Tower machines. As a result students train in the system as a course of study and receive academic credit for their work.
The 2016-2017 academic year finds Anjali on sabbatical as a part of a self initiated mentorship process with internationally recognized choreographer and Artistic Director, Alonzo King. The focus is to investigate creative applications as it relates to choreography in theatre and dance, with a specialization in ballet.
Dance Theatre of Harlem archive photo. Balanchines “Bugaku” Dancers from left: Endalyn Taylor, Anjali Austin, Christina Johnson, Joselli Audain, Elena Dominguez-Bartley.
