Arts In Education & Community Programs
Arts In Education & Community Programs
Remote Learning Activities
AileyDance Kids
AileyCamp
National Outreach
AileyDance for Active Aging
The mission of Ailey Arts In Education & Community Programs (AIE) is to cultivate and energize youth and adults to take, make, and see dance. Through our school and community outreach programs, we inspire our audiences to explore their own creativity and experience the joy of dance.
AIE: TAKE. MAKE. SEE…DANCE!
AileyDance Kids
In fulfillment of Alvin Ailey’s belief that “dance is for everybody,” AileyDance Kids residencies give young people across the tri-state area the opportunity to explore their creative potential and further develop life-skills such as teamwork and self-discipline. AileyDance Kids serves grades PreK-12, with a variety of dance activities and residency options to support programs to meet the arts in education needs and goals of schools and community organizations.
AileyCamp
AileyCamp is an innovative summer program for children ages 11-14 that uses dance training, creative writing instruction, personal development, and communication workshops to help campers develop a respect for themselves and others that meaningfully impacts their lives.
National Outreach
Experience a master class, lecture, lecture-demonstration, or dance workshop with an Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater company member, or have your students (grades 6-8) explore the themes of Alvin Ailey's masterwork, Revelations through our middle school curriculum, "Revelations: An Interdisciplinary Approach."
Program Support
Leadership support for Ailey’s Arts In Education & Community Programs is provided through The Simin & Herb Allison Arts In Education Endowment Fund.
As the role of online learning expands across the globe, Ailey Arts In Education remains committed to providing quality dance education content and empowering students to take, make, and see dance — through whatever means possible!
Our technique-based approach to dance education, aligned with the NYC DOE Blueprint for Dance and the New York State Learning Standards for the Arts, provides a safe physical, emotional, and creative outlet for students of all ages and backgrounds. Experienced teaching artists encourage students to practice imagination, resilience, and joy while learning fundamental dance vocabulary and dynamic original choreography from the safety of their home or socially-distanced classroom.
Whether your school or organization is returning to in-person learning, remaining fully remote, or moving forward with a hybrid learning model, Ailey Arts In Education is pleased to offer virtual alternatives to in-person dance technique residencies and activities. See below to find the option that best suits your unique schedule and needs.
- Live Remote Residencies
- Customized Pre-Recorded Residencies
- Ailey AIE Video Library Residency Packages
- Revelations Virtual Dance Workshop Series
To request remote learning activities, please contact Cathryn Williams, Director, Arts In Education & Community Programs at cwilliams@alvinailey.org or 212-405-9157.
Live Remote Residencies
Structured similarly to an in-person residency, Ailey Arts In Education Teaching Artists conduct a dance technique residency at appointed times via the videoconferencing service of your preference, serving classrooms of 35 students or fewer at a time. Through live classes, students can interface with their Teaching Artist, ask questions, receive guidance, collaborate with their peers, and delight in the shared energy of live classes in real time.
Recommended for schools and organizations looking to replicate an in-person residency, or to offer synchronous online learning content.
Customized Pre-Recorded Residencies
Following a planning meeting to assess your residency goals and students’ needs, an Ailey Arts In Education Teaching Artist will plan and record a series of video lessons in your chosen technique and age group, with your students’ specific interests and abilities in mind.
Recommended for schools and organizations looking to boost their asynchronous learning content, or looking to offer flexibility and accommodate variable schedules.
Ailey AIE Video Library Residency Packages
Choose from a selection of video residency packages from the AIE Video Library. Each residency package includes five lessons in a given dance technique, available for various age groups from Pre-K through Grade 12. Also available from the Ailey AIE Video Library is an adapted version of our popular Percussion Lecture Demonstration, which introduces students to West African dance and percussion in a fun and informative 45-minute program. Video packages are available for limited-time use by schools and community organizations with their students; they are not available for individual use.
Creative Movement
Recommended for Pre-K – Grade 2
Creative Movement (Storytelling Focus)
Recommended for Pre-K – Grade 2
Jazz/Hip-Hop
Recommended for Grades 3 – 5
West African
Recommended for Grades 3 – 5
Jazz
Recommended for Grades 6 – 8
West African
Recommended for Grades 6 – 8
Hip-Hop
Recommended for Grades 9 – 12
Horton Modern
Recommended for Grades 9 – 12
Percussion Lecture Demonstration
Recommended for Grades K – 3
Percussion Lecture Demonstration
Recommended for Grades 4 – 8
Revelations Virtual Dance Workshop Series
In this special video residency package, master teachers and former Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater company members Nasha Thomas and Michael Thomas lead a series of nine video lessons adapted from the Revelations: An Interdisciplinary Approach curriculum for middle school grades, emphasizing students' creativity and artistic point of view, and building their dance knowledge through the lens of Alvin Ailey’s signature ballet.
"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
The joy of dance continues to be celebrated with each audience member, community member and student reached by the Ailey organization. Through AileyDance Kids, thousands of children have the opportunity to envision their potential, imagine possibilities and feel the joy of dance as they experience Ailey each year.
AileyDance Kids at IS 528 in Manhattan, photo by Joe Epstein
Ailey's Arts In Education & Community Programs (AIE) represents a vital component 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 students in public, charter, 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 Pre K–12 and has a variety of programs to meet the individual needs of each school during both in-school and out-of-school hours.
Programs
AileyDance Kids (ADK) offers residencies that are structured to implement and achieve the goals of the New York City Department of Education's Blueprint For Teaching and Learning in Dance and its accompanying strands for Pre K–12 grade students and are aligned with the New York State Learning Standards in the Arts. Residencies can also be linked to students’ academic curriculum. Experienced dance teachers and musicians from the Ailey Arts In Education & Community Programs conduct these classes. West African, creative movement, and modern dance classes are accompanied by a percussionist. Support materials are distributed, which serve as an introduction to the Ailey organization, the accomplishments of Alvin Ailey, and the artistry of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Included are biographies, news articles, interviews, and reviews, as well as a Resource Guide for Educators which contains lesson ideas, a dance glossary, and both pre- and post-performance discussion ideas.
We offer instruction in the following techniques and styles:
Modern: Horton Technique
Creative Movement (grades Pre K–2)
Ballet
West African
Jazz/Hip-Hop
Percussion
Musical Theater Dance
Revelations: An Interdisciplinary Approach (grades 6–9)
Night Creature: An Imaginative Journey Through Dance (grades 3–5)
Public, charter, 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. AileyDance Kids residencies are customized to fit a school’s or organization's schedule and budgetary needs.
AileyDance Kids is a registered vendor for New York City Department of Education, Nassau BOCES, Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES, and works with Newark Public Schools.
Program Support
The New Jersey-based education programs are supported by The Prudential Foundation.
Alvin Ailey believed that dance is for everybody.
AileyCamp represents a vital component of Alvin Ailey’s vision: using the power of dance to enrich and positively impact the lives of children.
AileyCamp is a fun-filled, six-week summer day camp where young people ages 11–14 learn to dance and explore their creativity. The program helps youth develop their self-confidence in an atmosphere of warmth, respect, and trust. Campers take dance classes from experienced teaching artists in popular styles such as West African, jazz, ballet, and the Lester Horton technique (which is the basis of many of Alvin Ailey's works). Campers also participate in workshops to build leadership and communication skills, and enjoy a variety of athletic and social activities.
I will not use the word can't to define my possibilities.
— AileyCamp Daily Affirmation
Camp Curriculum
The AileyCamp curriculum includes:
- Daily dance technique classes: Horton-based modern, ballet, jazz, and West African or tap
- Personal development classes: goal setting, nutrition, conflict resolution, positive self-image, and career and leadership development
- Creative communication classes: visual arts based workshops, creative writing and personal expression projects
AileyCamp Too! is a special follow-up program for campers from AileyCamp New York to reinforce and expand upon the meaningful experience during the summer program.
Watch the Miami CBS Local feature on power of the arts at AileyCamp Miami
Watch the News 12 The Bronx feature on AileyCamp's 30th anniversary
Watch NJ Spotlight News feature on how kids are learning dance and life skills at AileyCamp Newark
2023 AileyCamp
Baltimore, MD: June 26 – August 3
Berkeley/Oakland, CA: June 26 – August 3
Chicago, IL: June 26 – August 4
Detroit, MI: N/A
Kansas City, KS: June 5 – July 14
Miami, FL: June 20 – July 29
New York, NY: July 5 – August 11
Newark, NJ: June 26 – August 4
Seattle, WA: July 5 – August 9
AileyCamp Directors & Contacts
Nasha Thomas, National Director of AileyCamp
Torens Johnson, Deputy National Director of AileyCamp
Children's Aid AileyCamp New York
Darius Damazi Williams, Camp Director
aileycampnewyork@alvinailey.org
AileyCamp Atlanta
Joy Pigg, Camp Director
aileycamp@purposebuiltschools.org
Diedre Dawkins, Camp Director
Patricia West, Camp Manager
Spencer Pulu, Associate Director
AileyCamp Chicago
Lazette Rayford, Camp Director
Presented by Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey
Paula Lang, Camp Director (Kansas)
Tyrone Aiken, Camp Director (Missouri)
Melissa Verdecia, Camp Director
AileyCamp Newark
Ronnie D. Carney, Camp Co-Director
Sherece Hill, Camp Co-Director
aileycampnewark@alvinailey.org
Seattle Theatre Group AileyCamp
Shawn Roberts, Camp Director of Seattle Theatre Group AileyCamp
Program Support
The New Jersey-based education programs are supported by The Prudential Foundation.
AileyCamp Atlanta is generously supported by the Fund II Foundation.
Through national outreach, the Ailey company strives to further the pioneering vision of Alvin Ailey by building an extended cultural community which provides dance performances, training and education, and community programs for people of all ages and backgrounds, uplifting them through the art of dance.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
When the Ailey company performs in selected cities, master classes, lecture/demonstrations, and dance workshops with an Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater company member may be offered. Submit your inquiries by completing the online booking form for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Be sure to include preferred dates, student/participant age range, name of school or studio, and any other pertinent information you wish to share.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Outreach Booking Form
Should you have any questions, please contact us at: AAADTOutreach@alvinailey.org
Arts In Education & Community Programs National Outreach
Working in public and charter schools, Ailey Arts In Education conducts week-long residencies in cities where Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performs on tour. The residencies follow a unique Revelations or Night Creature curriculum, designed for school-age youth. Each curriculum introduces students to the life and accomplishments of Alvin Ailey and one of his signature works.
- Revelations: An Interdisciplinary Approach, a middle school curriculum-based initiative that uses Ailey’s signature piece, Revelations, to teach academic subjects in classrooms.
- Night Creature: An Imaginative Journey Through Dance, an elementary school curriculum that features a fusion of Duke Ellington’s sparkling music and Alvin Ailey’s buoyant choreography from the work Night Creature.
For information, submit your inquiry to: AIEOutreach@alvinailey.org. Please include preferred dates, student grade/age range, name of school or organization, distance from the theater venue in your city, and any other pertinent information you wish to share. AIE staff will respond with scheduling options and fees.
All requests are subject to approval by management.
Alvin Ailey believed that “dance is for everybody.” 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. AileyDance for Active Aging furthers Ailey’s original vision by reaching older adults in community centers and in residential homes for independent and assisted living.
Ailey believes the transformative power of dance is applicable for all ages. Far too often, adults become prone to injury due to inactivity or isolation and have limited opportunities to engage their imaginations and express their creativity. AileyDance for Active Aging offers dance classes that support strength and flexibility training through a thoughtful and sequential progression of movement that promotes both cardiovascular and cognitive stimulation. More than a fitness program, AileyDance for Active Aging serves as an outlet for artistic expression by participant-generated choreography which cultivates the imagination and fosters a sense of joy. These shared artistic experiences build a greater sense of community and social engagement among the participants.
What I enjoyed most about AileyDance for Active Aging was the joy, laughter, friendship, euphoria, happiness, excitement!
— Participant from James Lenox House
What We Offer
- Initial planning with Ailey Arts In Education staff
- A planning meeting with the Ailey Teaching Artists and the administrative staff of the Older Adult Center or Residence
- A series of weekly dance classes (60 or 90 minutes) that become an outlet for artistic expression which cultivates one’s imagination to express personal life stories
- A culminating sharing presentation with an invited audience
- Opportunities to see live performances
- History and background about Alvin Ailey and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Our Curriculum Includes
- A clear structure for the dance classes with a warm-up and a cool down with a daily agenda
- Differentiations and adaptations for participants with mobility or balance challenges
- Visual and auditory supports for participants as appropriate
- Introduction to basic dance elements and choreographic structure
- A playlist of participant-suggested musical selections
- Prompts that engage and stimulate memory and life stories
- Movement phrases that include the expression of feelings
- Opportunities for caregiver and family engagement
I loved this class. It gave me something to look forward to. I loved expressing and working out life's complications through dance. The exercise was great and low impact.
—Participant from New Settlement Community Center
Our Audiences
AileyDance for Active Aging residencies are for the following communities:
- AileyDance for Active Adults (50+)
- AileyDance for Active Aging with Care Companions
- AileyDance for Caregivers
- AileyDance for Caregivers and Individuals with Dementia
The best thing about this workshop was that the program was really good. The dancers were great, the entire program was well coordinated.
—Participant from NYU Langone Health Family Support Program
Our Values
- A strong communication between Ailey Arts In Education staff and the staff of our partner organizations to ensure success for all participants
- Ongoing assessment to garner feedback from participants and administrative staff
- Life-long creative engagement – Dance is for everyone!
Organizations that have hosted an AileyDance for Active Aging program
- 80th Street Residence, Upper East Side
- Brookdale Village Older Adult Center - JASA, Queens
- Carnegie East House, Yorkville
- CaringKind NYC connect2culture program
- Goddard Riverside Older Adult Center, Upper West Side
- James Lenox House, Upper East Side
- New Settlement Community Center, Bronx
- NYU Langone Health Family Support Program
- Penn South Program for Seniors, Chelsea
- Project Find Hamilton Senior Center, Upper West Side
- R.A.I.N. Tolentine Older Adult Center, Bronx
- Stanley M. Isaacs Neighborhood Center, Yorkville and East Harlem
- Union Settlement Senior Center, East Harlem
Watch PIX11 coverage on AileyDance for Active Aging at Carnegie East House
I would like more people to know about this marvelous program…spread the word!
—Participant from NYU Langone Health Family Support Program
Program Support
AileyDance for Active Aging (50+) curriculum was developed with support from AARP
This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council
Additional support for the AileyDance for Active Aging program has been provided by the Manhattan Borough President’s Office in partnership with the Department for the Aging.
Ailey Extension
Interested in dance classes for older adults at The Joan Weill Center for Dance? See the link below for classes at Ailey Extension.
Restorative Stretches for Adults
Interested in hosting a residency for the active older adults in your community?
Cathryn Williams, Director of Arts In Education & Community Programs
212-405-9157
cwilliams@alvinailey.org
I know the students enjoyed the AileyDance Kids 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 amazing. Read More
