Independent Study Program
Independent Study Program Details
For students between the ages of 17 and 25 who have completed their secondary school requirements, the one-year Independent Study Program offers intensive training for those who wish to further develop their artistry and technical skills in order to enhance their professional potential. The program may also assist those who wish to gain admission to other advanced dance programs. Students must attempt a minimum of 14 classes weekly and successfully pass 952 clock-hours of dance technique and somatic classes weekly from the core curriculum, including daily ballet classes and Horton and/or Graham-based Modern five times per week. Elective technique classes include Taylor-based modern, jazz, tap, Dunham, West African, barre à terre, yoga, Gyrokinesis®, and body conditioning.
Admission Requirements
Audition Procedure
Acceptance to the 2023-2024 School Year is by submission of the following:
- an online application.
- a $20 application fee.
- an audition* - students may audition in person, OR by video.
In-Person Auditions: Audition cities and dates are posted on our Auditions page.
Video Auditions: An audition Video Demonstration is posted on our Video Auditions page. Students should refer to that video for specifications on video requirements. Videos that do not contain required materials will not be viewed.
*Note: it is NOT necessary to submit a video audition if the applicant is attending an in-person audition. Students are not permitted to do both.
Deadline for submitting Video Audition:
2024-2025 Academic year - May 1, 4:00pm (Eastern Standard Time)
International Candidates
International candidates residing outside of the U.S. may also apply by video.
Curriculum
The Independent Study Program offers the same intensive technique training as the Certificate Program in a structured one-year curriculum that includes a diverse variety of dance technique courses. The program is also appealing to students who are already matriculating towards an undergraduate degree in dance at a college or university who wish to attend the Program for credit towards their degree requirements. With permission from their home school, the Independent Study Program can function much like a study abroad program in offering serious dance students the opportunity to enhance their studies with a year of intensive training in New York City.
Coursework
Independent Study Program students must successfully pass all required courses from the School’s established curriculum over the course of one year. Technique levels are determined for each student individually in placement classes at the beginning of their enrollment and students follow a year-long syllabus in each technique. Upon passing all required courses, students may request permission from the Co-Directors to audition for the Certificate Program or Scholarship Program if they wish to continue their training.
- Horton technique
- Graham-based Modern technique
- Taylor-based Modern technique
- Classical Ballet
- Pointe
- Jazz
- Tap
- Hip Hop
- Dunham technique
- West African
- Contemporary
- Barre a Terre
- Body Conditioning
- Yoga
- Gyrokinesis®
- Ballet and Modern Partnering
Evaluation and Advisement
Independent Study Program students are guided and mentored by their Program Faculty Advisor and meet with him regularly in order to ensure they are making sufficient progress and meeting all program requirements. At the end of each semester, students receive written evaluations and grades from each teacher and meet with their advisor in conference to determine if they have successfully completed the program.
Performance Opportunities*
Independent Study Program students are offered opportunities to participate in annual performances throughout the school year. Each year, several artists in residence set original works, or re-stage established works, on our students. Students are selected by the choreographers and School Co-Directors by audition to participate in workshops that culminate in the following performances:
- Winter Concert
- Global Harmony Concert
- Spring Concert
- Studio showings
*COVID safety measures are in place in the Ailey Citigroup Theater.
Special Programs
The Ailey School offers several innovative programs and unique opportunities to further develop the artistry of our students and prepare them for a professional career.
New Directions Choreography Lab (NDCL)
NDCL is a creative residence for emerging and established choreographers created by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Artistic Director Robert Battle. Four artists are selected annually to receive a stipend, access to dancers from The Ailey School, and studio time during which they are free to take creative risks and explore new ideas that they may not have had the financial resources, time, or space to do otherwise. Each choreographer is paired with a Creative Advisor who, as seasoned professionals, serve as an artistic resource offering guidance and feedback during the creative process. Informal studio showings and Q & A dialogue between audience and dancers allows both students and choreographers the opportunity to delve into the creative process and artistic self-discovery.
Learn more about NDCL
Ailey Students Ailey Professionals (ASAP) Mentoring Program
The mission of ASAP is to give students the opportunity to build a mentor/mentee relationship with members of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater over the course of three months. Overseen by Company Rehearsal Director and Guest Artist, Matthew Rushing, the program provides a rare opportunity for students to spend time with their mentors through workshops, professional development sessions, and access to private rehearsals. Additionally, mentors meet with their students in a multitude of activities outside of Ailey to further strengthen the relationship. Students have enjoyed outings to museums, live performances and concerts, coffee shops, and potluck dinners with their mentors.
“Memoria” performances
Each December, students are offered the unparalleled opportunity to perform in Mr. Ailey’s ballet “Memoria”, a touching and powerful tribute to his mentor Joyce Trisler. Twenty six students are chosen by audition to perform a section of the ballet that was choreographed by Mr. Ailey specifically with students in mind. Over the course of several weeks, students are rehearsed by Ronni Favors, former Alvin ailey American Dance Theater Rehearsal Director and dancer, culminating in several performances with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater during their annual season at New York City Center Theater. Students experience the thrill of performing to sold out audiences of Ailey’s enthusiastic fans in a legendary theater located in the heart of New York’s theater district.
Satisfactory Progress Guidelines
Satisfactory Progress Measurements:
This one-year program is designed for high school graduates and college students who wish to further develop their technical proficiency in Horton and/or Graham-based. To maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress, and to receive a Confirmation of Study, students must successfully pass the courses they attempt to complete each term. Should mitigating circumstances exists that prevent a student from passing a course, the student may attempt the course for second time upon receiving the School Director’s approval. Students may request permission to continue study in another program to further develop their technical proficiency provided the student has successfully completed 100% of the courses he or she has taken in the Independent Study Program. Acceptance to another program is contingent upon the School Directors approval and/or successfully passing an audition.
Appeal Procedure for Academic Probationary Status
You may appeal your probationary status in writing to the Directors of the School. The written conclusions of the Appeal Committee (composed of the Directors of the School and two selected members of the school administrative and/or teaching staff) will be forwarded to you by the office staff within two weeks of the appeal.
For a successful appeal, the following factors are considered in re-determining whether you have made satisfactory progress:
- Unusual circumstances such as extended illness or injury when properly documented.
- Quality of written or oral work in dance academic\theory courses.
- Attitude and participation in courses.
Tuition & Fees
2024-2025 Tuition & Fees
Tuition and fees are subject to change. Refunds are issued according to the School’s published refund policy. Tuition for the current school term is listed below. Fees are listed separately.
Academic Year
$13,240 ($6,620 per semester)
Other Fees
- Audition Fee: $20 (one time fee)
- BFA Audition Fee: $35 (one time fee)
- International Student Fee: $50 (one time fee for new students only)
- Annual Registration Fee: $65 (due every year)
- Physical Therapy fee: $270 ($135 per semester)
Withdrawals, Refunds and Return of Financial Aid
Refunds
All fees and required tuition deposits are non-refundable and will be deducted from the total tuition refund. Refunds will be pro-rated according to the School's published refund policy.
Withdrawals
To obtain an official withdrawal, students must submit a Withdrawal Form to their Faculty Advisor, who will then submit it to The Ailey School Directors. The tuition charge will be assessed according to the student's last date of attendance and the School's published refund policy.
Return of Title IV Aid and Early Withdrawal
If you receive Federal Financial Aid you may owe a cash payment to The Ailey School or the Federal Government by withdrawing from school. In short, you have not “earned” the aid you have received until you complete 60% of term in which you receive aid.
The amount of aid that you can keep (i.e., earned) is calculated as follows: Aid You Can Keep = (No. of Days Completed ÷ No. of Days in the Term Including Weekends) x Aid Received
Federal financial aid is available for qualifying Certificate and Independent Study Program students.
Frequently Asked Questions
Students who wish to apply for acceptance to the full-time Professional Division Programs or the Summer Intensive may audition in person or by submitting a video audition. Students must follow the instructions detailed on the Auditions page.
Students who wish to apply to the Ailey/Fordham BFA Program should refer to the Admissions section of the BFA Program page.
There is a $20 audition fee for all Scholarship Program,Certificate Program, Independent Study Program, and Summer Program auditions. You can sign up for the audition and pay the fee by following the links on the Auditions page of the web site.
Note: There is a $35 application fee for BFA applicants, and an audition fee for those applicants who are invited to attend an audition.
There is a $20 fee for all applicants who wish to audition by video. You may pay the fee online at the links provided on the program pages.
No, we do not schedule private or in-class auditions.
Students may audition once per calendar year. If you are not accepted at your first audition, you must wait until the following year to try again.
Notification of acceptance will be sent by e-mail within three weeks of an audition.
No. The Ailey School does not provide performance critiques or discuss the artistic panel’s decision after an audition.
Students may take both Horton and Graham-based modern even if they have no prior training in those techniques. However, in some cases Faculty Advisors may feel it is more beneficial for a student to concentrate on one technique only. This is decided on a case by case basis between Faculty Advisor and student.
Each student at The Ailey School is placed in levels according to their individual proficiency in ballet, Horton, and Graham-based modern. Levels are determined by the School Co-Directors at the audition, or by the department chairpersons during the first week of the fall term. Students are advised that levels at The Ailey School may not correspond to the levels at their prior schools. The Ailey School has 7 levels of ballet, 4 levels of Horton, and 4 levels of Graham-based modern. Pointe, Partnering, and Men’s Ballet are offered to students in ballet IV or higher. Students are placed jazz levels according to their ballet levels.
The number of weekly dance classes varies according to the program:
Scholarship Program students take 12 to 15 classes per week.
Certificate Program Students take 15 to 17 classes per week.
Independent Study Program students take 15 classes per week.
BFA Program students take 12 to 15 classes per week, in addition to their academic classes scheduled at Fordham University.
Yes. The Ailey School has limited housing during the academic year at The Ludlow Residence dormitory in lower Manhattan. Housing at The Ludlow Residence is partially subsidized and granted to students based on their financial need and artistic merit.
Yes. The Ailey School offers housing at the nearby Fordham University dormitory for students 15 years and older, and at the Ludlow Residence for students who are 17 year of age and older. Students must be enrolled in the Summer Intensive to be eligible for summer housing.
Auditions for Ailey II are by invitation only. Students from the school's full-time training programs are invited to audition for Ailey II by The Ailey School Co-Directors and the Ailey II Artistic Director.
Only advanced students who are on Threshold or in their last year of study and are preparing to enter the dance field may request permission from The Ailey School Co-Directors to perform outside of the School.
Yes. A limited number of merit-based scholarships are available to students who meet the artistic criteria for acceptance to the Scholarship Program. Scholarships are awarded on an annual basis during the academic year and summer term by audition only. Merit-based scholarships are not available to students in the Independent Study Program or Certificate Program, although those students may apply for need-based Federal Financial Aid.
International students must successfully complete the program in which they are enrolled in order to be eligible for Post -Completion Practical Training: three years in the Certificate Program; one year in the Independent Study Program; and one year in the Scholarship Program. Students who wish to apply for OPT must first have a final evaluation meeting with their Faculty Advisor at the end of their last semester of study to determine if all program requirements have been successfully met. Once it has been confirmed that all program requirements have been met and that there have been no excessive absences, the student may meet with the International Student Advisor to request OPT. Note: The Ailey School Co-Director has final approval of a student's request to apply for OPT.
Yes. Professional Division students who are enrolled in any of the full time programs may attend Ailey Extension classes at a discounted student rate on weekends only. Students may not attend Ailey Extension classes Monday through Friday.
No. Students are not allowed to take any Professional Division classes other than the classes that have been assigned to them by their Faculty Advisor.
Please be sure to carefully review the information found on our Health & Safety FAQ page.