[2] King grew up in Georgia and California, and, as an adult, decided his contribution would be teaching and choreography.

In 1982, having established himself as a well-respected teacher, he founded Alonzo King LINES Ballet.

Believing that everyone has the potential to grow through dance, seven years later he opened what was then known as the San Francisco Dance Center, offering classes for both professionals and the community.

[4] In 1982, upon relocating back to California, King founded Alonzo King LINES Ballet,[6] which premiered at the San Francisco State's McKenna Theater.

Sharing his choreography around the world, LINES Ballet performs bi-annual home seasons at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco,[7] and also maintains an international touring schedule including a recent set of performances in Hong Kong of The Propelled Heart in September 2017.