Career Moves- An Upward Trend

Alicia Graf’s an Ailey alum who’s performed “Revelations” nearly 1,000 times. She realized her love for dance at age three. Dance Theater of Harlem scouted her and Graf moved to NY in her high school senior year. During four DTH years, she suffered from knee inflammation. After major surgery, Alicia’s knee swelled up so badly she couldn’t even move her leg. A year of tears and depression followed. She’d just made her mark on the dance scene and reactive arthritis cut it short.

Not knowing where to turn, Alicia switched gears into academics at Columbia. “All I knew was dance, so learning other things took my mind off it. I knew things would work out the way God meant for them to be.”

That’s when Career Transition for Dancers came into her life. They gave Alicia a grant during her first year at Columbia. “They were the first to tell me I was capable of doing something else.” Graf is now active with the organization’s National Outreach Project, bringing opportunities to colleges and professional companies across the country. “It’s a support group for dancers. If I was a banker and lost my job, I wouldn’t need support from other bankers. But as dancers, we need to lean on each other.”

After college, however, Alicia made a comeback. She experienced a successful career with Complexions, DTH, and joined Ailey in ‘05. She then tore cartilage in her knee again. “I came back to dance when I thought I’d never perform again. I accomplished many goals, so I decided my time had come to an end.”

Now living in St. Louis, Alicia’s getting married, managing a pre-professional program for underprivileged dancers, and earning her masters in nonprofit management, thanks to another grant from Career Transition for Dancers. “As a dancer, it’s hard to get people to believe you will be successful in other fields. I’m so grateful.”

Her advice for next gen? “Think about how you’re perceived as an artist, not just a dancer. I still perform, but I now have a fulfilling job in another world.”