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 Newark Final Performance 2015, photo by Nan Melville

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.

Listen to the Miami NPR feature on the launch of AileyCamp Miami

Watch the News 12 The Bronx feature on AileyCamp's 30th anniversary

2019 AileyCamp

AileyCamp Directors & Contacts

Nasha Thomas, National Director of AileyCamp

Michael Thomas, Deputy National Director of AileyCamp

Children's Aid AileyCamp New York

Andrea Markus, Camp Co-Director

Darius Damazi Williams, Camp Co-Director

aileycampnewyork@alvinailey.org

212-405-9156

Atlanta Ballet's AileyCamp Atlanta

Diane Sales, Camp Director

404-873-5811 x102

AileyCamp Baltimore

Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell, Camp Director

410-704-2119

AileyCamp Berkeley/Oakland

David McCauley, Camp Director

510-642-7087

AileyCamp Chicago

Lazette Rayford, Camp Director

872-222-9430

AileyCamp Kansas City

Presented by Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey

816-471-6003

Michael Joy, Camp Director (Kansas)

Tyrone Aiken, Camp Director (Missouri)

AileyCamp Miami

Jairo Ontiveros, Camp Contact

786-468-2270

AileyCamp Newark

Ronnie D. Carney, Camp Co-Director

Sherece Hill, Camp Co-Director

aileycampnewark@alvinailey.org

212-405-9153

Seattle Theatre Group AileyCamp

Shawn Roberts, Camp Director of Seattle Theatre Group AileyCamp

206-467-5510 x1167

Program Support

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