Nat Horne

Nat Horne's path to dance began when a local ballet teacher invited him to partner with her girl students. His religious father forbade dancing, so Horne earned a BS in mathematics from a theological school before entering the military. There he became the first Black American to join the Special Services as an official member, and it was during his army years that Horne first performed, dancing for soldiers.

In 1954, Horne relocated to New York and trained under choreographer and dancer Matt Mattox. The following year, he appeared with the Negro Dance Theatre alongside Charles Moore and Bernard Johnson, among others. Horne then joined the 1957 production of Jamaica, performing with Alvin Ailey and Lena Horne — a connection that proved lasting, as Nat Horne went on to become an original member of Ailey's company. He performed with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at their 1958 premiere at the 92nd Street Y.

Horne's choreography career launched in 1964 when his former teacher Matt Mattox appointed him as replacement choreographer for Girl Crazy in Germany. He subsequently choreographed Cabaret and West Side Story, also in Germany. Horne opened the Nat Horne Musical Theatre and School, which enjoyed an eleven-year run. He taught there as well as at the Ailey School.