By: Lizzie Throop

        Photos courtesy of  The Alumni Association

Alonzo King was born in Georgia and later moved to Santa Barbara, where he was raised and graduated from Santa Barbara High School in 1969. After high school, he moved to New York to start his dance studies at Harkness Ballet and Alvin Ailey School of Dance. King was introduced to movement from a young age by his father, who introduced him to yoga, inspiring him to incorporate eastern and western culture into his choreography.

In 1982, King relocated to San Francisco where he founded and became the Artistic Director for his international touring company, Alonzo King’s LINES Ballet, which has been pushing the boundaries of ballet for years. Through his vision of “thought structures,” King explores the manipulation of energies that exist through matter and physical movement. King is a member of the NEA Choreographer’s Fellowship, National Dance Project, and National Dance Residency Program. King’s contributions will continue to be valued for many years to come.