New York, NY
Ailey Experience NYC
JUMP TO:
Location
- Ailey Extension
- 405 W 55th Street
- New York, NY
Ailey Experience NYC is designed for young dancers of all levels ages 8–21 to embody the diversity of the Ailey dancer through technique training and performance experience in a non-competitive environment.
Dancers are invited to the home of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York City to learn from world-renowned instructors, former Ailey dancers, and professional New York City choreographers for an intensive full of daily technique classes. Classes include ballet, contemporary, Horton, jazz, hip hop, West African dance, and more. Participants will also learn original choreography throughout each week, culminating in a final showcase for friends and family on each Friday.
Participants can choose between a one-week or two-week experience July 28–August 1 and August 4–8. No audition or dance experience is required!
Pricing
Registration fees vary depending on dancers' age groups. Participants who sign up for both weeks save on registration fees.
Ages 8–10:
Single Week: $650
Two-Week Package: $1100
Ages 11–14:
Single Week: $700
Two-Week Package: $1200
Ages 15–21:
Single Week: $750
Two-Week Package: $1300
Schedules
Click below to read the sample schedules and download full schedules for each age group.
Schedules subject to change.
| 8:30am | Check-In |
| 9–10am | Technique Class |
| 10–11am | Technique Class |
| 11:15am–11:45pm | Lunch |
| 12–1pm | Choreography Rehearsal 1 |
| 1–2pm | Choreography Rehearsal 2 |
| 2:15pm | Dismissal |
Please note that on Fridays, students will have a showcase for friends and family at The Ailey Studios.
Schedule is subject to change.
| 9am | Check-In |
| 9:30–10:30am | Technique Class |
| 10:30–11:30am | Technique Class |
| 11:45am–12:30pm | Lunch |
| 12:30–2pm | Choreography Rehearsal |
| 2:15–3:45pm | Choreography Rehearsal |
| 4pm | Dismissal |
Please note that on Fridays, students will have a showcase for friends and family at The Ailey Studios.
Schedule is subject to change.
| 9:30am | Check-In |
| 10–11:30am | Technique Class |
| 11:30am–1pm | Technique Class |
| 1–2pm | Lunch |
| 2–3:45pm | Choreography Rehearsal |
| 4–5:45pm | Choreography Rehearsal |
| 5:45pm | Dismissal |
Please note that on Fridays, students will have a showcase for friends and family at The Ailey Studios.
Schedule is subject to change.
Instructors subject to change. Some instructors not listed.
FAQs
No! Dancers of all backgrounds are welcome, no audition required.
Ailey Experience students must register in advance—no day-of registration is permitted.
First, create an Ailey Extension Mindbody account online here. Parents of children under 18 are encouraged to create an account with the child's name and birthday so we can accurately account for our students' ages. Please enter an email address that you check regularly to ensure you receive all communications.
After creating your account and signing in, find the "Ailey Experience" tab or click on one of the sign up links above, and then click “Sign Up Now!”. You can then select if you would like to attend week 1, week 2, or both. After confirming your cart, click "Check Out" and enter your payment information to place your order and confirm your registration.
Contact us at [email protected] if you have any difficulties with Mindbody.
Students should wear comfortable form-fitting dance clothes such as leotards, tank tops, leggings, tights, etc. Dancers' hair should be pulled away from their face.
Students should be prepared every day with ballet shoes, jazz shoes, and clean, dance-friendly sneakers—street shoes are not permitted in the studios. If you do not own ballet or jazz shoes, socks are encouraged.
Please note that there is no need to purchase new dance clothing or shoes if you do not own specific items.
The Ailey Studios, at The Joan Weill Center for Dance, are located at 405 West 55th at 9th Avenue in midtown Manhattan.
We are walking distance from the Columbus Circle subway station (accessible via 1, 2, 3, A, C, B, and D lines) and 57th and 7th Ave. subway station (accessible via N, R, and Q lines). Convenient buses include M30, M31, M57, and M11.
AILEY is committed to providing an accessible and inclusive space at The Joan Weill Center for Dance. Please see the list below of accessibilities and accommodations at the Ailey Studios:
- There is a ramp to access the front entrance of the building on 9th avenue. Stairs are available on the 55th street side of the building.
- There are two manual front doors operated by our security team and a revolving door.
- Certified service animals are welcome. Pets are asked to stay outside.
- The Ailey Citigroup Theater and all studios are accessible by elevator and are wheelchair accessible.
- All elevators have braille on their buttons identifying individual floors as well as a spoken voice to identify the floor when the doors open.
- Restrooms and water bottle-refilling stations are available on the lower level
(LL), performance entry level (PE), ground floor, 5th floor, and 6th floor. - Wheelchair accessible restrooms are available on the ground floor and performance entry level (PE). Doors to those restrooms are wave-activated to open on both sides.
- Baby changing stations are available in the men’s restrooms on the ground floor and performance entry (PE) level and the women’s restrooms on the lower level (LL).
- Showers and locker rooms are available on the lower level (LL).
- AILEY provides access to a public a Wi-Fi network for visitors.
If you require a specific accommodation to attend an Ailey Extension class, please email [email protected] or call 212-405-9500.
Hotel Accomodations
Ailey Extension is proud to partner with Hilton®.
Ailey Experience NYC participants, parents, and guardians pay a discounted rate to stay at the Hilton Garden Inn New York/Central Park South-Midtown West at 237 West 54th Street, a 7 minute walk from the Ailey Studios.
If the above booking link is not working, use code N3430719 under "Special Rates" > "Corporate Account" when booking.
Contact Us
Hero Credit: Photo by Whitney Browne