Kai Nakayama, originally from Racine, Wisconsin, started his ballet training at the age of 7 at the Studio of Classical Dance Arts. Seeking to broaden his dance training, he dedicated his summers to training at the Ailey School, Alonzo King Lines, and ABT. Kai has in the past been a trainee with the Los Angeles Ballet Company and Parsons Dance Company. Notably, he has performed works by influential choreographers such as Alvin Ailey, Paul Taylor, Keelan Whitmore, Levi Marsman, and Tiffanie Carson. In 2021, Kai began his training as a scholarship student at The Ailey School under Tracy Inman. During his time there, he had the privilege of performing with the Alvin Ailey Dance Company and Ailey II in Alvin Ailey’s iconic piece, “Memoria”. Currently on a full scholarship at the Taylor School, Kai actively performs with the Taylor Outreach Ensemble. This will be Kai’s first year as an apprentice with the Alison Cook Beatty Company.