Alia Crutcher was given advice that motivated her to excel in the world of dance.

“A dance instructor once told me, ‘Your legs will take you to see the world,’ and so far, they are helping,” Crutcher says.

Crutcher, 23, has been touring with Ailey II for one year. Ailey II features 12 dancers from the junior company of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater of New York. Ailey II brings music to life with solo performances, group performances and masterful moves.

She says she is happy to have the opportunity to see the country.

Crutcher, who says she began dancing at the age of 12 because she felt it was more fulfilling than other activities she participated in, believes that dancing is a universal language.

“It transcends all over the world,” Crutcher says. “People in China understand what it is about, even though the songs we perform to are in English.”

Crutcher says dancing is what keeps her busy.

“Not just dance, but all kinds of arts are important to people, and give us something to live for,” she says.

But not all members of Ailey II are as experienced as Crutcher.

Ricardo Zayas, 21, has studied only at the Ailey school and considers himself to be a late bloomer when it comes to dancing.

“I was 16 going on 17 when I began dancing,” he says.

“Everyone at the school was so much younger and so much better, which made me need to prove myself.”

Zayas says he never knew he had it in him.

He admits he always loved attention, but dancing was not something he thought about until a friend suggested trying it out.

He says he is thrilled to start off his career by working with Ailey II.

“Working with Ailey is such a great experience. With only 12 people, we all have to perform every night, so everyone gets seen,” he says. “No one ever gets the night off.”

In addition to performing, the dancers hold workshops and demonstrations with some of the children for whom they perform.

The children often ask for advice on how they can become dancers. Zayas says he always tells them to not be afraid to go out and get what they want.

“And always give it your all, no matter what the circumstances,” Crutcher says. “You dream your own dreams.”

Zayas says he gives it his all every time he dances, but admits that there is always a little pressure on him to “be consistent and produce good work.”

Zayas, Crutcher and 10 other dancers will be performing four pieces: “Intimate Voices,” “Mourner’s Bench,” “Prayer in Discord,” and “Revelations.”

Each of the pieces performed “have their own personality,” Crutcher says.

She says the mood changes from dance to dance because some are tend to be upbeat, while others are mellow.

All four are choreographed by different people, including Alvin Ailey himself.

Zayas and Crutcher both agree that their main goal every time they dance is to inspire.

“If we’ve inspired someone to follow their dreams, whatever that may be, then we’ve done our job,” Crutcher says.

What: Ailey II

Where: Stephens Auditorium

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

Cost: $16.50 to $14.50 student, $30.50 to $26.50 adults