teachers dancers choreographers
ANNIE
DAY
Marcus R. Alford
Born in Tripoli, Libya, Marcus Alford found his way to several continents as an Air Force brat. He eventually landed at the University of Alabama where he earned a B.A. degree. Inspired by his dance teachers, he headed to Chicago where he choreographed, taught, danced and toured with the legendary Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago for a decade.
Mr. Alford has been on the faculty of every major dance organization including D.M.A., D.E.A., Internationale Tanz Werkstatt, Southeastern Regional Ballet Association, Chicago National Association of Dance Masters, and many others. Marcus’ high energy jazz classes have also inspired students at the Festival of the World in Hungary, The American College Dance Festival, The International Ballet Competition, Jackson, MS, Hubbard Street Dance Studio, Chicago and the North Carolina School of the Arts. He currently serves of the faculty of the Kennesaw State University Department of Dance.
In 1986, Marcus founded “JAZZ ON TAP” (the Metro Atlanta Jazz and Tap Dance Festival) which has grown to be one of the largest dance events of its kind in the U.S. featuring master classes and performances involving 2,500 dancers annually. In 1991, he authored Jazz Danceology, now a standard in the libraries of jazz dancers, teachers and universities everywhere. Alford’s company, Jazz Dance Theatre South, founded in 1986, toured the U.S. and Europe for 15 years presenting the highest caliber of concert jazz and tap. Serving the Ballet community with its own festival, Mr. Alford founded “BalletFest Atlanta” in 2003.
Marcus Alford has performed in and/or choreographed many award winning industrials and TV/video projects. With Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, Marcus danced “The Rehearsal”, an Emmy Award winner. His “Customer is King” (Media Mix, London/Atlanta) won a Telly Award for outstanding television and video production and “Alcatel is Here” (Networld / Interop Communications Show) won the Best of Show award. Mr. Alford’s industrial work includes clients such as Kohler Corporation, Sprint, I.B.M., and N.F.L. Commissioners. His concert choreography can be seen on companies throughout the dance world.
Marcus loves to share the wonderful art and excitement of dance with all!
Together, Annie and Marcus founded Dancentre South, Inc. in 1993, sold the business in 2018 and continue their involvement as consultants. They founded DanceFest, Inc. in 1992 and founded, produced and directed “Jazz On Tap” (the metro Atlanta Jazz and Tap Dance Festival), “BalletFest Atlanta”, "SPARK Summer Dance Intensive" and "BalletFest Atlanta Summer Academy" through 2018 . Their students are working in all facets of the dance business. In 2003, Chicago National Association of Dance Masters chose them as the recipients of their Lifetime Achievement Award.
Annie Day
An exciting teacher, choreographer and adjudicator, Annie Day graduated with honors from Butler University, Indianapolis, Indiana earning a B.A. degree in Dance. As a performer, Ms. Day’s highlights include performing throughout the U.S. and Germany with Jazz Dance Theatre South, working with jazz legend Gus Giordano and industrials for clients including Adidas, Milliken Carpets, Herbalife International and Carpet One.
Among her teaching credits are private and public schools, universities, dance camps and arts schools across the U.S and Germany. Annie teaches for several major dance organizations each year including D.M.A., D.E.A., Dance Olympus, Boston Dance Teachers Club, Chicago National Association of Dance Masters, Southern Association of Dance Masters and others. Her innovative and demanding classes have also challenged students at the North Carolina School of the Arts, Lexington School for the Deaf, NYC; Internationale Tanz Werkstatt, Germany; Alabama School of Fine Arts and Wake Forest University.
Ms. Day choreographs annually for several dance companies and her work has been honored at the Southeastern Regional Ballet Festival (S.E.R.B.A.) and Panoply Festival of the Arts. As Construction Supervisor for Jazzhand, LLC. Annie’s duties have included building $300,000 and $1,250,000 dance studio projects and consultant work for dance studio design and construction projects in the Atlanta area and throughout the southeast. With her graphic designer hat on, Ms. Day designs many of the logos, posters and t-shirts for their various projects.
Annie Day’s well-rounded background and diverse professional experience combine to make her an innovator and leader in the field of Dance!