Ulysses Dove’s works can be seen in the repertories of several major dance companies throughout the world. He is acclaimed by The New York Times as a “choreographer with a bold new voice.” A native of Columbia, South Carolina, Ulysses began studying dance at Boggs Academy in Georgia. During college, he continued studying modern dance and ballet with such teachers as Carolyn Tate, Xenia Chlistowa, Jack Moore, Judith Dunn, Bertram Ross, Helen McGehee, Mary Hinkson, and repertory with José Limon.

After receiving his B.A. in dance from Bennington College, Ulysses moved to New York City where he studied with Maggie Black and Alfredo Carvino, and performed with the companies of Mary Anthony and Pearl Lang. In 1970, he received a scholarship to the Merce Cunningham School. Two weeks later, he joined the Cunningham Company, performing in every piece by the time he left in 1973. Shortly thereafter, Anna Sokolow asked him to perform her classic work Rooms. Alvin Ailey saw Ulysses’ performance that evening and invited him to join the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. He quickly rose to principal dancer and in 1979 made his professional choreographic debut in I See The Moon and The Moon See Me. From 1980 to 1983, Ulysses was the assistant director of the Groupe de Recherché Choregraphique de l'Opéra de Paris. In 1983, Ulysses Dove became a freelance choreographer after leaving the Paris de l'Opéra. He has created over 26 works for large and small ballet and modern dance companies nationally and internationally. Before his death in 1995, he received two choreographic grants from the National Endowment for the Arts to set works on New York City Ballet, a Bessie award, and a 1995 prime time Emmy Award for best choreography for the “Dance in America” special Two by Dove.

The legacy of Ulysses Dove’s philosophy on dance and work ethics is a driving force for The Dove Art Programs (DAP), directed by Ulysses’ brother Alfred L. Dove, the Administrator of Ulysses Dove’s ballet estate. The Dove Art Programs mission is to carry Ulysses’ spirit and his passion for dance to each dance company that performs Ulysses’ ballets. This mission also protects the artistic integrity of Ulysses’ works in hopes that the spirit of U. Dove will live forever in his ballets.