Ailey’s Associate Artistic Director

Matthew Rushing was born in Los Angeles, California. He began his dance training with Kashmir Blake in Inglewood, California, and continued his training at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. He is the recipient of a Spotlight Award and a Dance Magazine Award and was named a Presidential Scholar in the Arts. He was a scholarship student at The Ailey School and later became a member of Ailey II. During his career, Mr. Rushing has performed as a guest artist for galas in Vail, Colorado, as well as in Austria, Canada, France, Italy, and Russia. He has performed for Presidents George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama, as well as at the 2010 White House Dance Series. During his time with the Company, he has choreographed five ballets: Acceptance In Surrender (2005), a collaboration with Hope Boykin and Abdur-Rahim Jackson; Uptown (2009), a tribute to the Harlem Renaissance; ODETTA (2014), a celebration of “the queen of American folk music”; Testament (2020), a tribute to Alvin Ailey’s Revelations created in collaboration with Clifton Brown and Yusha-Marie Sorzano; and Sacred Songs (2024). In 2012 he created Moan, which was set on PHILADANCO! and premiered at the Joyce Theater. Mr. Rushing joined the Company in 1992. He became Rehearsal Director in 2010, Associate Artistic Director in 2020, and served as the Interim Artistic Director from 2023 to 2025.  

Artist, composer, author, and educator

Du’Bois A’Keen is an accomplished entrepreneur, professional recording artist/composer, published author, and educator—a true Renaissance spirit. Since 2018, he has been a writer, producer, and director for Untold Productions. As the CEO and Creative Director of A’KEEN BRAND, a modern creative agency and production company, Du’Bois is the current Creative Director of the Harlem-based non-profit CrossCreek NYC. He is the founder of THE TUESDAY THING (T3), a global network of creatives, artists, entrepreneurs, and young business owners, and a partner with CALLING ALL CREATORS, an open-source creative agency and digital innovation platform focused on circular and creator economies. There, he directs programs and partnerships, collaborating with brands such as NIKE, Adidas, Superdigital, and Allbirds.

In 2023, Du’Bois co-founded [R3], a Fashion Waste innovation company, which was selected as a semi-finalist in Pharrell Williams’ Black Ambition cohort, out of 6,000 applicants. He is signed to UIA Talent Agency as an opera director and choreographer. Du’Bois serves on several boards and acts as a brand advisor for various companies, including the Black Label Movement, Opera On Tap, and Dunsel’s. He has taught at prestigious institutions such as Columbia University School of Professional Studies, where he is a lecturer, and at Alvin Ailey/Fordham University and Barnard College, where he teaches a graduate course on Sustainability Management, Contemporary technique/repertory, and a course he designed titled “The Work of Art,” which examines ESG and DEIB in dance. His teaching experience extends to guest artist roles at NYU Tisch, Arizona State University, Brenau University, Irvine College, University of Florida, Florida State University, Gibney Dance, and Red Clay Dance Academy. Du’Bois also served as the Associate Director of Music and Programming at the MAMA Foundation for the Arts, co-leading the renowned commercial choir Sing Harlem in residency at RedRooster Harlem and Ginny’s Supper Club.

A Georgia native, Du’Bois is a two-time alumnus of Florida State University, where he earned a BFA in Dance and a Master of Science in Entrepreneurship with a focus on Social and Sustainable Enterprises from the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship. In 2022, he was recognized as one of the Jim Moran Foundation’s 7 Under 30, highlighting successful founders and CEOs. Du’Bois began his professional career in New York City, primarily as a dance artist, singer, and choreographer, touring with the Bessie Award-winning Urban Bush Women Dance Company, founded by MacArthur Genesis Fellow Jawole Zollar. While performing and touring with UBW, he also served as a branding and marketing strategist.

Du’Bois’ films, music, and choreographic work have been featured in The New York Times, Dance Magazine, and Opera Wire. He is an IFP Screen Forward Lab Fellow from the 2017 cohort. In 2018, he co-produced, directed, and performed in the award-winning film anthology series CAMPFIRE POETRY MOVEMENT SERIES. He made his operatic debut the same year as the choreographer and guest artist for Charlie Parker’s Yardbird with the Arizona Opera. His accolades include being a 2018 NYTV Featured Artist, choreographer, and producer for FOX NETWORK’s DANCE SQUAD in 2019, and guest choreographer for OPERA on TAP in 2020. He has appeared in the ALL ARTS TALKS and ALL ARTS AT HOME digital series.

In a significant milestone, Du’Bois premiered his first feature-length film, DWB (Driving While Black), starring opera soprano Karen Slack, commissioned by Urban Arias and produced by his company A’KEEN BRAND, along with INCARNATION 1, a dance short film commissioned by Red Clay Dance Company. He continues his artistic endeavors as a singer, dancer, and writer, collaborating with Craig Harris (jazz composer/trombonist) and serving as creative advisor for Karen Slack. In 2021, he returned to Charlie Parker’s Yardbird as the director and choreographer for the Dayton Opera Company’s production. Most recently, with Sing Harlem, he was the lead vocalist and associate director for performances at the Clooney Foundation for Justice Albie Awards 2023 and the Glamour Awards’ Women of the Year tribute for Mary J. Blige, where he also served as choreographer. In December 2024, he made his New York City Center debut with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater as a creative associate, composer, and lead vocalist for the world premiere of Sacred Songs by Matthew Rushing, interim artistic director of AAADT.  Additionally, in 2024 Du’Bois released two music singles as well as headlined his first Solo concert in NYC – in December 2025 he will be headlining the APOLLO Music Cafe. 

When not working, Du’Bois enjoys the beach, reading, and engaging in ministry. His commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration spans multiple industries and sectors, with faith and service at his core. A graduate of STS Bible Institute and former Worship Pastor of Cultivate NYC, he has served as a worship leader, music director, and creative consultant for over a decade with various ministries nationwide. Du’Bois looks forward to continued growth and fulfillment of his God-given purpose alongside his wife and life partner, Camry Vonyaé A’Keen, and their daughter.