Homer Avila
Space Grant (2001/2002)

HOMER AVILA (he/him) connected with dance as his life’s passion while studying at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Prior to dance, his love of movement was realized through competitive gymnastics in his hometown of New Orleans. After moving to New York, Homer performed with Twyla Tharp, Momix, Ralph Lemon and the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company. Homer was known best for work with Avila/Weeks Dance, a modern-dance company he directed with Edisa Weeks.

Homer’s choreography was commissioned by Adelphi University, Ailey II, Hofstra University, NYU’s Washington Square Repertory Ensemble, and Agnes Scott College. His work has been performed at the Guggenheim Museum, Massachusetts International Festival of the Arts, the National Black Arts Festival, and Summer Stages Dance. He taught at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, Oberlin College, Spelman College and Wesleyan College.

In 2001 Homer was diagnosed with chondrosarcoma, a rare form of cancer; shortly thereafter, his right leg and hip were amputated. Buoyed by the support of the worldwide dance community, Homer returned to dance seeking to further explore his potential. Out of that exploration came his “Not/Without Words” and “(Body of) Works In Progress”. He also performed new work choreographed by Victoria Marks, Alonzo King, and Dana Casperson at P.S.122, Ballet Frankfurt, the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center, and other venues. At the time of his death on April 25, 2004, Homer was creating a solo for Cleveland’s Dancing Wheels dance company.