UPPER WEST SIDE, Manhattan (WABC) -- The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's holiday performances begin in about three weeks, with a new artistic director leading the way.

Alicia Graf Mack fills the giant shoes of the late great Judith Jamison. Mack was once a principal dancer under Jamison.

She talked to Eyewitness News about her new role, which she calls a full-circle moment, and her vision for the future of the treasured theater.

"Ailey was always the north star, to come back now feeling prepared, ready, honored, I couldn't be more happy," Mack said.

The 46-year-old is only the fourth person to take on the prestige role of artistic director of the Alive Ailey Dance Company, following in the foot steps of Robert Battle, Mack's mentor, the late Judith Jamison, and legend Alvin Ailey

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