PRESENTING
BRINAE ALI
Who is Brinae Ali?
Brinae Ali isn’t just a tap dancer—she’s an artistic powerhouse who moves through life like she does on stage; with rhythm in her soul and a story that people should stop and listen to! Hailing from the aesthetically vibrant city of Flint, Michigan, Brinae grew up surrounded by a community that thrives on creativity and grit. Flint’s legacy of resilience and artistry flows through her veins, shaping her into a choreographer, storyteller, educator, vocalist, musician, and more. She’s made it her life’s mission to celebrate Black dance, connecting past, present, and future with every tap of her shoes.
Where it Began
For Brinae, dance isn’t just about movement or following the beat of the music; it’s about speaking a language of history, culture, and community. Her love for tap started early, thanks to her father, a Broadway tap dancer who introduced her to the art form. Imagine little Brinae, barely old enough to reach the kitchen counter, already feeling the call of the rhythm in her feet. That lifelong pull towards dance combined with the zest for communal expression instilled at an early age by those around Brinae led her to realize where her true calling lay. By 13, she wasn’t just learning the craft—she was teaching it! Her dad’s tap classes became her playground, where she honed her skills and developed an uncanny ability to connect with others through movement and shared stories.
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Teaching became a natural extension of Brinae’s journey. She embraced the role of a mentor, carrying forward lessons from her father and the many artists who influenced her along the way. For Brinae, it’s never been enough just to honor tradition. She’s all about reimagining it, breathing new life into it, and using it as a springboard for innovation. Her teaching is as much about cultivating future generations as it is about celebrating those who came before.
This project has become a passion project of grand proportions. From choreographing dances to collaborating with musicians, Brinae has poured her heart and soul into bringing Baby Laurence’s story to life. For Brinae, it’s not just a show. It’s a love letter to tap, a bridge connecting generations, and proof that art can transcend time. And now, after years of dedication, it’s finally ready to debut. Mark your calendars for February 2025 in Baltimore—that’s when the world will get to experience this one-of-a-kind performance!
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But Brinae’s impact doesn’t stop there. She’s taken her talents global, serving as an artist-in-residence with Next Level-USA. This program, supported by the U.S. State Department, uses hip-hop culture to build connections across borders. Picture Brinae in Nigeria, introducing tap to audiences who may never have seen it before while learning from local culture's rich rhythms and traditions. It’s a beautiful exchange where she’s both teacher and student, spreading the universal language of dance.
How It's Going
Her upbringing in Flint played a huge role in shaping her views of social responsibility. The city’s deep sense of togetherness—rooted in the church gatherings, family traditions, and even fraternity events of those in her life—gave her a foundation of purpose and community. Those experiences didn’t just shape her; they gave her a North Star. They inspired her to view dance not just as entertainment but as a tool for healing, storytelling, and preserving the rich legacy of Black culture.
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Take her work on The Baby Laurence Legacy Project, for example. This isn’t just a dance piece—it’s a full-blown tribute to Baby Laurence, one of tap’s unsung legends. Brinae lovingly calls him an “Urban Legend,” a visionary whose contributions deserve to shine brighter in the spotlight. For the past three years, she’s dived deep into his story, studying his moves, tracing his life, and even composing original music inspired by his legacy. It’s like she’s been on a treasure hunt, uncovering the gems of his story and polishing them for the world to see.
What Comes Next
Through it all, Brinae stays true to her mission: honoring the past, inspiring the present, and paving the way for the future. She doesn’t just teach dance steps; she teaches resilience, self-expression, and the power of storytelling. Her classes and performances are a space for growth—where students and audiences alike can discover something new about themselves.
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At her core, Brinae believes in the transformative power of Black art. Her journey from the dance studios of Flint to the international stage is more than just a career—it’s a calling. Every tap of her shoes is a reminder that dance is more than movement. It’s a language, a history book, and a bridge that connects us all. Brinae’s style blends technical mastery with raw emotion, creating an experience that’s as much about feeling as it is about form.
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Whether teaching, performing, or simply sharing her story, Brinae Ali brings an impossible energy to ignore. Her work is rooted in love—for her community, her culture, and the art of dance itself. She’s proof that with passion, purpose, and a little bit of rhythm, you can change the world one step at a time. A vision that we all should *tap* into!