Robert Battle's love of music started early. As a boy, he sung in the church choir, and he played the piano at home. However, he could not move much since his legs were confined to braces in order to straighten them. The devices worked, and he legs served him well in his pursuit of karate. Robert was enthralled by the physical movement of the sport. 

The boy loved karate, but he saw other people prancing through the air, and he informed his mother that he wanted to try another art form. She enrolled him in ballet classes, and he learned plies and a cadre of other dance moves. Robert was enthralled by dance; he found it to be so exciting and liberating. With this art form, he could do anything and be anyone. He could fly to the moon if he so desired. 

At first, he did not want to apply to a specialized high school, but others persisted in convincing him that he should do just that. He worked on his audition for the school until it was nearly perfect, and he was rewarded with an acceptance into the New World School of the Arts in Miami. He then attended The Juilliard School in New York City, and went on to become a brilliant choreographer for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. He was then able to bring story and beauty to many audience members through the medium of dance.

My Story, My Dance: Robert Battle's Journey to Alvin Ailey by Lesa Cline-Ransome, 2015

I love the sketches and illustrations of dance in this picture book. I took many dance classes myself at The Ailey Extension, which is the largest dance studio in the United States.

• Center for Arts Education
• DVDs of Alvin Ailey performances
• Books on dance