AileyDance Kids

"Making dances is an act of progress; it is an act of growth, an act of music, an act of teaching, an act of celebration, an act of joy."
–Alvin Ailey

Alvin Ailey believed that “dance is for everybody.” He dedicated his company to serve not only as performers, but as teachers and role models to tens of thousands of children each year. Since its founding in 1958, the Ailey organization has honored this commitment to bring dance into the classrooms, communities, and lives of people throughout the world.

Ailey's Arts In Education & Community Programs (AIE) represents a vital continuation of Alvin Ailey’s original vision. Since 1992, AIE has given over 100,000 young people from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to explore their creative potential while also imparting life skills such as teamwork and self-discipline.

AileyDance Kids offers dance training to both public and private schools and community-based organizations in a comprehensive format that inspires self-respect and confidence, while also fostering an appreciation for the joy of dance.

AileyDance Kids serves grades PreK–12 and has a variety of programs to meet the individual needs of each school during both in school and out-of-school hours.


"I liked that we got to learn the steps and perform the dance. I felt proud of myself."
"I liked AileyDance Kids because I got to express myself."
—students, PS 155

“I know the students enjoyed the AileyDance residency because after every class there were ear to ear smiles. I saw a change in many of them – an increase in self-esteem, confidence and worthiness. It was overwhelming to witness; I can only imagine how it felt for them to be a participant. The fact that these students with significant life stressors took the time and learned patiently, about themselves and what they are capable of…it was amazing.”
—Lindsay Lederman, School Administrator, St. Luke’s CARES




Special program support provided by
Target® and AileyDance Kids: Pathways to Dance

The New Jersey-based education programs are supported by
The Prudential Foundation

Leadership support for Ailey’s Arts In Education & Community Programs is provided through
The Simin & Herb Allison Arts In Education Endowment Fund

Wells Fargo
Citi
and other generous donors

Programs

AileyDance Kids offers residencies that are structured to implement and achieve the goals of the New York State Learning Standards in the Arts for PreK–12 grade students. Residencies can also be linked to students’ academic curriculum. Experienced dance teachers and musicians from Ailey’s Arts In Education & Community Programs conduct these classes. West African, creative movement and modern dance classes are accompanied by a percussionist. Support materials, including a welcome packet and Teachers’ Resource Guide, are included in most programs. These materials serve as an introduction to the Ailey organization, the accomplishments of Alvin Ailey, and the artistry of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. They also contain interviews, pre- and post-performance discussion ideas, lessons, a dance glossary, and more. AileyDance Kids residencies are customized to fit a school’s schedule and budgetary needs.

Private and independent schools and community organizations should contact the staff of the Arts In Education & Community Programs department for individual residency options and costs.
 

We offer dance instruction in the following techniques and styles: Modern: Horton Technique, Creative Movement (grades PreK–2), Ballet, West African, Jazz/Hip-Hop, Musical Theater Dance, Revelations: An Interdisciplinary Approach (grades 6–9), and Percussion.

AileyDance Kids is a registered vendor for Nassau BOCES, Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES, and Newark Public Schools.

For more information, and to reserve an AileyDance Kids residency or other Arts in Education activity, please contact:
Cathryn Williams, Director, Arts in Education & Community Programs
Phone:  212-405-9157  /  Fax:  212-405-9645
cwilliams@alvinailey.org

AileyDance Kids is a registered vendor for Nassau BOCES and Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES.

Full-Year Dance Residency

An in-school residency that provides a comprehensive introduction to the artistry of the Ailey aesthetic and dance as a technique, and a historical and creative art form. Full-year residencies culminate in a final presentation by the students.


Activities:
Tickets to Ailey II (December or March)

Grades:
PreK–12

Location:
studio/gym/auditorium

How long:
32 weeks maximum

Students served:
30 maximum per class

Availability:
September–June

Eight Week Dance Intensive

A concentrated study of a dance technique spanning 16 sessions over 8 weeks. The program culminates in a final presentation by the students. Residencies may be customized to accommodate school schedule and budget.

Activities:
Tickets to Ailey II (December or March)

Grades:
PreK–12

Location:
studio/gym/auditorium

How long:
One to two months maximum

Students served:
Dance class 30 maximum
Percussion lecture-demonstration 300 maximum

Availability:
September–June

One Week Dance Residency

 One dance class per day for five consecutive days in a specific technique taught by an Ailey teaching artist.

Activities:
5 dance technique classes

Grades:
PreK–12

Location:
studio/gym/auditorium

How long:
45–60 minutes

Students served:
30 maximum

Availability:
September–June

Revelations: An Interdisciplinary Approach

 Alvin Ailey’s life and his signature work, Revelations, serve as an organizing theme for learning experiences in dance, language arts and social studies. The residency is supplemented with an Interdisciplinary Guide based on the NY State and National Learning Standards. Other areas of learning are addressed based on each teacher’s interests and expertise. The Interdisciplinary Guide is designed using vocabulary enrichment, poetry, narrative reports, critical reviews and a brief biography. This residency challenges students to take their own life experiences and make them move.

Grades:
6–9

Location:
studio/gym/auditorium

How long:
One week minimum (Two classes per day for five days; includes mandatory professional development workshop)

Students served:
30 maximum per class

Availability:
September–June

Professional Development Workshops for Teachers

A professional development workshop designed to incorporate choreography, writing, and exercise. Alvin Ailey’s life and his signature work, Revelations, serve as an organizing theme for learning experiences in dance, language arts and social studies. Teachers will have the opportunity to explore the life and legacy of Alvin Ailey and learn ways of incorporating dance into their teaching practices.

Activities:
One movement-based workshop

Location:
studio/gym/auditorium or the Ailey Studios

How long:
75 minutes minimum/full day maximum

# of participants:
75 maximum

Cost:
$800–$5,000

Availability:
November–June

Master Class

 A one-time master class by an Ailey teaching artist for students in high school dance programs.

Activities:
One dance class in a specific technique

Grades:
9–12

Location:
studio/gym/auditorium

How long:
One 90-minute class

Students served:
30 maximum

Availability:
September–June

Percussion Lecture Demonstration

A one-time introductory rhythm and movement presentation using percussion instruments. Students learn about the basic rhythmic structure of indigenous music and the cultures that create it.

Activities:
One interactive lecture-demonstration

Grades:
PreK–12

Location:
studio/gym/auditorium

How long:
45 minutes

Students served:
300 maximum

Availability:
September–June

Student Performing Groups

The Ailey School’s rising young artists wow audiences at venues throughout the tri-state area, performing works by both emerging and established choreographers. Led by rehearsal director Freddie Moore, the School’s two performing groups are the Ailey/Fordham Student Dancers (who are part of the Ailey/Fordham B.F.A. program in dance) and the Student Performance Group, featuring some of the School’s best Professional Division students. Dancers in both of these groups, who come from all over the world, are handpicked for their excellence to study The Ailey School’s diverse curriculum which includes: ballet, Horton, Graham-based modern, jazz, West African, Dunham, and hip-hop.


Activities:
Pre-performance introduction
One 30-45 minute performance
Meet the dancers: 10-minute question and answer session

Grades:
3–12

Location:
Gym or auditorium

How long:
45–60 minutes

Cost:
$2,200 plus transportation (depending on location)

Availability:
November–April

Come and Dance!

A single dance workshop located at the Ailey Studios, located in The Joan Weill Center for Dance. Families experience the contagious energy and excitement of dancers at work as they take a class in one of the building’s 12 studios.

Activities:
One dance technique class

Grades:
PreK–12

Location:
The Joan Weill Center for Dance, 55th St & 9th Ave

How long:
60 minutes

Individuals served:
30 maximum

Cost:
$450

Availability:
September–June

Family Fun Night

Make dance a family affair with an intergenerational activity at your school. A themed evening of dance is a fun way to get everyone involved in arts education.

Activities:
Two dance technique classes

Grades:
2–12

Location:
host school

How long:
Two 45-minute classes

Individuals served:
75 maximum
Groups larger than 75 participants may require an Ailey Assistant and incur an additional cost.

Availability:
September–June

Tour the Joan Weill Center for Dance

The Ailey organization’s state-of-the-art facility is the largest complex exclusively dedicated to dance in New York City, the dance capital of the world. View historic imagery throughout the building and see the behind-the-scenes activities that support Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ailey II, The Ailey School, Arts In Education and the Ailey Extension. Class observations are available for an additional fee.

Activities:
Group tour of The Joan Weill Center for Dance, 55th St & 9th Ave

Grades:
3–12

How long:
40 minutes

Students served:
25 maximum

Cost:
$125

Availability:
September–late May

Group Tickets and Family Matinees

Attend a live performance of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater or Ailey II during their New York City engagements. Family matinees include a post-performance Q&A segment. Ailey II mini-performances are 60 minutes. Seats are discounted for groups.

Activities:
Matinee performance of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater or Ailey II

Grades:
PreK–12

Location:
New York City Center or The Ailey Citigroup Theater

How long:
approximately 1–2.5 hours

Students served:
TBD

Cost:
TBD

Availability:
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater: December 2012 or Ailey II: April 2013