Alvin Ailey Dance Workshop

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  Students from Charles R. Drew Middle School, in Liberty City, participated in a workshop held by Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013. The Ailey troupe is building stronger connections to Miami because their artistic director Robert Battle has roots here. This year Ailey is doing residencies at two schools, 3 master classes, and a free daytime performance for 2000 public school kids. The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will perform at the Arsht Center Feb 21-24. MARICE COHN BAND / MIAMI HERALD STAFF

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  Nasha Thomas-Schmitt, right, spokesperson and master teacher for Art in Education and national director of Ailey Camp, directs Alina Spears, 14, an 8th grader at Charles R. Drew Middle School on Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013. MARICE COHN BAND / MIAMI HERALD STAFF

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  From left, Tanaysha Phillips, 13, Nahirra Henderson, 12, and Jakirah Davis, 13, watch their classmates dance during their Alvin Ailey Dance Theater workshop, Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013, at Charles R. Drew Middle School. The Ailey troupe is building stronger connections to Miami because of artistic director Robert Battle. MARICE COHN BAND / MIAMI HERALD STAFF

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  Jakirah Davis, right, 13, follows dance steps during a workshop with Alvin Ailey Dance Theater held, Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013, at Charles R. Drew Middle School in Liberty City. The Ailey troupe is building stronger connections to Miami because of artistic director Robert Battle. MARICE COHN BAND / MIAMI HERALD STAFF

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  Nahirra Henderson, left, and Unique Worlds, right, both 12, and in 7th grade, enjoy their Alvin Ailey Dance Theater workshop, Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013. The Ailey troupe is building stronger connections to Miami because of artistic director Robert Battle. MARICE COHN BAND / MIAMI HERALD STAFF

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  Matthew Hill, left, keeps the beat for dancers at Charles R. Drew Middle School, where Alvin Ailey Dance Theater held a workshop Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013. The Ailey troupe is building stronger connections to Miami because of artistic director Robert Battle. MARICE COHN BAND / MIAMI HERALD STAFF

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  Nasha Thomas-Schmitt, right, spokesperson and master teacher for Arts in Education, shows Jakirah Davis, 13, the moves during their Alvin Ailey Dance Theater workshop held Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013, at Charles R. Drew Middle School in Liberty City. MARICE COHN BAND / MIAMI HERALD STAFF

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  Taelor Dalton, right, 13, works with her dance group Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013, at Charles R. Drew Middle School during their Alvin Ailey Dance Theater workshop. The Ailey troupe is building stronger connections to Miami because of artistic director Robert Battle. MARICE COHN BAND / MIAMI HERALD STAFF

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  Mykeal Shanks, right, 12, listens closely to Nasha Thomas-Schmitt, spokesperson and master teacher for Art in Education, Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013, during a workshop held by Alvin Ailey Dance Theater. The Ailey troupe is building stronger connections to Miami because of artistic director Robert Battle. MARICE COHN BAND / MIAMI HERALD STAFF

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  Nahirra Henderson, right, 12, writes "Revelations," on the students' Dance Wall, during the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater workshop at Charles Drew Middle School in Liberty City. The students had just watched a movie about Alvin Ailey's work and his signature choreographic work "Revelations." MARICE COHN BAND / MIAMI HERALD STAFF

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  Taelor Dalton, 13, 8th grader at Charles R. Drew Middle School, writes in her journal during the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater workshop held at her school Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013. The Ailey troupe is building stronger connections to Miami because of artistic director Robert Battle. MARICE COHN BAND / MIAMI HERALD STAFF

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  Students in the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater workshop keep notes in their journals at Charles R. Drew Middle School in Liberty City. The Ailey troupe is building stronger connections to Miami because of artistic director Robert Battle. MARICE COHN BAND / MIAMI HERALD STAFF