Influences

Ana María thanks her parents for the immense support and belief they always voiced for her, and her children for continuing to be a strong influence towards her work. When asked who inspired her work the most, Alvarez responded “I am a direct reflection of all the people I have had the honor to work with.” Other than all of her dancers who have inspired her and motivated her to be her best self, Alvarez credits her success to several powerful women who she has worked with throughout her career. First, Alvarez credits Dr. Elenor Gwynn, her high school dance teacher who taught her what it meant to be resilient, and also for introducing her to Katherine Dunham’s technique. Here she began her journey into exploring the Cuban and Haitian roots of Dunham Technique which also drew her closer to her father's Cuban roots. She then studied at The Katherine Dunham Institute in NYC, where the experiences Dunham provided introduced her to the connections between anthropology and modern dance which taught her how to create dance that is a reflection of who we are as people. Next, Ana María wound up interning with the Urban Bush Women for a winter term where she was mentored by the founding Artistic Director of UBW, Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, which whom she says changed the way she thought about dance and the dance industry. From working with Jawole Willa Jo Zollar and learning from Katherine Dunham’s technique, Ana María credits both to how they shifted what she knew to be possible and inspired her to fully take on dance and social change as her career path. Next, Ana María credits her inspiration in creating art that also functions as social activism to Liz Lerman as she showed her how to be an activist who builds communities through the  movement of the body. Lastly, Ana María wanted to thank Martha Gonzalez for being such a strong artivist influence in her live, being a fierce woman, and showing her that being a mother in this industry is possible.