Alvin Mayes, instructor, trained and performed in many aspects of modern and contemporary dance. He lists Antony Tudor, Karen Shanley, Deborah Riley, Phyllis Lamhut, Eric Hampton and Donald McKayle as artists who have influenced his teaching, performance and choreography. He performed with Goria Newman Dance Theater of Los Angeles, Maryland Dance Theater here in College Park and is a founding member of Karen & Alvin. His choreography has been performed by the Maryland Youth Ballet, CityDance Ensemble and thompson & trammell. His work has been presented at the American College Dance Festivals in the Mid-Atlantic, Great Lakes, Southwest, and Northeast regions. He has taken University of Maryland dance students to dance festivals in Japan and Cuba.