André W Tyson is a former Principal Dancer and Company Teacher with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

Mr. Tyson’s affiliation with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Foundation began as a scholarship student in 1980 and continued through 1994. Mr. Tyson became a member of the Foundation’s two junior companies in 1980 (Ailey 3) and 1982 (Ailey 2) and performed with the main company from 1985-1994. Presently, Mr. Tyson is an Assistant Dean at the California Institute of the Arts Sharon Disney Lund School of Dance. His teaching duties include: Contemporary Technique (Levels I-IV), Pilates (Mat I-II and Reformer II), Jazz and Repertory. Mr. Tyson is Supervisor for Independent Study Projects and Production Crewing for SDL School of Dance concerts. He is also an Admissions Recruiter for the Dance Program. Prior to joining the faculty at CalArts, he was an Associate Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Peck School of the Arts Department of Dance 1998-2008. Throughout his career he has studied with a range of distinguished Master Teachers. This ongoing quest for excellence is evidence of commitment to his personal growth as an artist and a belief that such commitment is reflected in the devotion and instruction he provides his students. Creative expression as manifested in the expansion of physical and artistic boundaries reflect Mr. Tyson’s proactive approach to his career development and concomitantly enrich his ability to create, instruct and inspire.