Anjali Austin
Professor of Dance
School of Dance
Florida State University
photo by Jon Nalon
Ms. Austin is a Professor in the School of Dance at Florida State University where she teaches ballet and pointe, choreographs, and mentors undergraduate and graduate dance majors. A former member of Dance Theatre of Harlem for thirteen years, Anjali has worked with iconic teachers and choreographers Agnes de Mille, Louis Johnson, Alexandra Danilova, Glen Tetley, Valerie Bettis, Geoffrey Holder, Frederick Franklin, as well as other significant artists of that genre. Some of the ballets she has performed include Billy the Kid, Swan Lake (Act II), Serenade, Flower Festival, Dougla, Concerto Barocco, Prince Igor, Paquita, and Frankie and Johnny – in which she held a vocal role. Also to her credits are PBS television specials Fall River Legend, A Streetcar Named Desire, and Creole Giselle.
During Ms. Austin’s career she crossed trained in Pilates, GYROKINESIS® and GYROTONIC® systems of exercise, and has over 35 years of experience in these movement modalities. In these areas Anjali worked with legendary teachers Kathleen S. Grant, Hilary Cartwright, and Juliu Horvath. Under the tutelage of Mr. Horvath she trained and completed her Gyrotonic teacher training, and taught in the New York City studios. In 2002 Anjali was among the first group to be certified as a Gyrotonic Master Trainer and continues to remain active in the field. Currently she is a Specialized Master Trainer in Gyrotonic Levels One and Two, Gyrokinesis Level One, the Gyrotoner, and Leg Extension Unit. Anjali introduced Gyrotonic and Gyrokinesis methodology to School of Dance students and faculty, and received administrative support for the purchase of two Pulley Tower pieces of equipment. As a result, Florida State University Dance majors have opportunities to train in the systems as a course of study and receive academic credit for their work.
Professor Austin holds an MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts from Goddard College, serves as President-elect of CORPS de Ballet International, and conducts lectures on the history and legacy of Black classical ballet dancers. Her creative research includes a choreographic mentorship project with Lines Contemporary Ballet Company Founder and Artistic Director, Alonzo King (2016). Most recently Anjali has been honored with a Center for Ballet and the Arts Fellowship (2017).
Anjali Speaks on Teaching Ballet