In 1958 Alvin Ailey led a group of young African-American modern dancers in a performance that changed American dance. Ailey’s creativity uses the blues, spirituals and gospel as inspiration, which resulted in the creation of his most popular and critically acclaimed work, Revelations. Today, the Company continues to fulfill his mission, presenting important past works as well as commissioning original programs. In all more than 90 choreographers have contributed more than 235 works to the Company’s repertory. The Ailey company has become the ambassador of American dance having performed in some 71 countries, as well as reaching millions through television broadcasts.