Scholarship Program Details
The Ailey School's prestigious Scholarship Program offers financially supported full-time training for students ages 17-21 who show the highest potential for a professional dance career. The core curriculum consists of daily classes in ballet, which may include additional classes in Pointe for intermediate/advanced students. Horton and/or Graham-based Modern are taken 5-6 times per week. Supplemental classes include Taylor-based Modern, jazz, tap, Dunham, West African, barre à terre, yoga, Gyrokinesis®, and body conditioning. Improvisation and comp are also offered.
Scholarship students also have the opportunity to audition for repertory workshops with guest artists which showcase the talents of the most advanced students. Workshops culminate in studio showings and performances in the Ailey Citigroup Theater at the end of each term.
Threshold Component
Threshold is a special component of the Scholarship Program for advanced students who are given the opportunity and time to perform with professional dance companies, in workshops, and master classes with outside choreographers and master teachers. Threshold students who have attained advanced technique levels work under the guidance and mentorship of a dedicated Faculty Advisor.
Work/Study*
As part of their tuition remission awards, scholarship students are required to work part-time in the administrative offices of The Ailey School and Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation. This enables them to become an integral part of The Ailey School community at large by developing professional relationships with their peers and with the staff, and providing them with administrative experience to supplement their education and serve them well beyond their dance careers.
*Due to COVID safety protocols, the work/study component is currently not active.
Admissions
Merit-based Scholarships are awarded by audition* only. Students must re-audition annually if they wish to continue their enrollment in the Scholarship Program.
Scholarship candidates should have a minimum of five years consistent training and demonstrate intermediate-advanced level in ballet and modern. In addition, candidates must possess musicality and a toned, flexible, well-proportioned body.
Audition Procedure
Acceptance to the Scholarship Program 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 a Video Audition:
2023 Summer Intensive: April 1
2023-2024 Academic year: June 1
International Candidates
International candidates residing outside of the U.S. may also apply by video.
Health and Safety Protocols
The Ailey School requires all students who are taking in person classes, living in Ailey sponsored housing, or entering The Joan Weill Center for Dance (The Ailey School) for any reason to be vaccinated for COVID-19 no less than two weeks prior to their first day of entry into the building. Please visit the following pages for addition information:
Junior Division Student Resources
Professional Division Student Resources
Curriculum
The Scholarship Program is a highly competitive program providing full tuition scholarships to gifted young dancers between the ages of 17 and 21. Students who show the highest potential for a career in dance are awarded merit-based scholarships by audition. Students must re-audition annually if they wish to remain on scholarship for up to two to three years.
Coursework
Scholarship Program students must successfully pass all required courses from the School’s established curriculum each year of their enrollment. 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 re-audition to continue in the program and continue receiving financial support.
- Horton technique
- Graham-based Modern technique
- Taylor-based Modern technique
- Classical Ballet
- Pointe
- Ballet
- Jazz
- Tap
- Hip Hop
- Dunham technique
- West African
- Contemporary
- Barre a Terre
- Body Conditioning
- Yoga Gyrokinesis®
- Ballet and Modern Partnering
Evaluation and Advisement
Scholarship Program students are guided and mentored by The Ailey School Co-Director Tracy Inman. Students meet with him regularly in order to ensure they are making sufficient technical progress, meeting all program requirements, and to discuss their post completion career goals and performance opportunities. At the end of each semester, students receive written evaluations and grades from each teacher and meet with Mr. Inman in conference to determine if they have successfully completed the program and wish to embark on their dance career, or if they wish to continue in the Program.
Performance Opportunities*
Scholarship 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 Requirements
This is a highly competitive one to three-year renewable program is for the intermediate/advanced dancer. As a limited number of Scholarships are awarded on a one-year basis by audition, students are expected to uphold the highest standards of artistic and academic achievement, and excellent attendance. Students are expected to pass 100% of their courses in order to successfully complete each year of enrollment and be eligible to re-audition for continuance in the program. Scholarships students are expected to maintain the Code of Conduct and standards of excellent behavior at The Ailey School, and when serving as a representative outside of the School.
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.
Participation Fees
2022-2023 Participation Fees
Scholarship awards cover tuition only.
Students pay nominal Participation Fees only.
Housing costs are the sole responsibility of the award recipient.
School Year Participation Fees
Level 1: $720 ($360 per semester)
Level 2: $1020 ($510 per semester)
Other Annual fees
- Audition Fee: $20 (one time fee)
- International Student Fee: $50 (one time fee for new students only)
- Annual Registration Fee: $50 (due every year)
- Physical Therapy fee: $260 ($130 per semester)
Summer Scholarship fees - 5-week session only
- Level 1 Scholarship - $250 (includes a $50 registration fee)
- Level 2 Scholarship - $375 (includes a $50 registration fee)
Other Fees during the Summer
- Audition Fee: $20 (one time fee)
Withdrawals, Refunds and Return of Financial Aid
Refunds
All fees are subject to change. 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.
Federal Financial Aid is not available for students in the Scholarship Program. Only qualifying Certificate and Independent Study Program students may apply for Federal Financial Aid.
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 at the audition or by the department chairpersons during placement classes at the beginning of the students first term of study. 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.
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 for 1/2 price 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.
