The Ailey School

Summer in New York City!

July 12 to July 23, 2021

The Ailey School’s Summer Intensive offers intermediate to advanced dancers an opportunity to train in a vibrant professional environment centered in the heart of New York City’s Theater District. Motivated students ages 17 to 25 with at least three years of consistent training receive first class dance training among a student body of versatile dancers who strive for excellence. 

Enrollment Options

In-person classes: This year, we will offer an in-person option taught by a distinguished faculty.  Our curriculum includes ballet, Horton, Graham-based modern, and a master class with a guest artist. An optional somatic course will also be available. Due to COVID-19 restrictions as well as state and local travel bans, only residents that reside in New York and one of the following 5 states that are contiguous to New York will be permitted to attend the in-person option: New York; New Jersey; Connecticut; Massachusetts; Vermont; and Pennsylvania. All other students may participate in online classes this summer.

Online option: For all other students, we will offer a Virtual Horton Technique Workshop introducing the foundational components of the Lester Horton Technique as taught at the Ailey School. No audition is required.

Curriculum Description

In-Person Summer Intensive

Acceptance to the in-person 2021 Summer Intensive is by submission of the following:

• an online application
• two dance photos in specified positions
• a video audition
• a $20 application fee. 

An Audition Video Demonstration is posted on our Auditions page. Students should refer to that video for specifications on video requirements.

Video Audition Deadline: Video auditions are accepted between January 14 and June 1, 2021. We recommend sending video auditions as early as possible, as we expect the program to fill before the deadline. Videos applications received after the program is full will be placed on a waiting list.
A significant early discount on tuition is only available if full payment and all enrollment materials are received by May 14.

Online summer option

Admission to the Virtual Horton Summer Workshop does not require an audition.
Enrollment will take place from February 1 to June 4, 2021. 

Tuition & Fee Information

Alvin Ailey believed that dancers should have the versatile training that produces a “ballet bottom and a modern top”. The in-person training at The Ailey School is structured with this philosophy in mind.

In-Person curriculum:
The curriculum includes a daily ballet class, and a daily modern technique class of either Horton and/or Graham–based modern.  Students will be assigned to either a morning session, or an afternoon session of classes.  Each session will consist of two in-person technique classes per day.  One special master class with a guest artist will be offered during the 2-week session, and an optional somatic course will also be offered online.

Student technique levels are determined based on the video audition submitted by the applicant. Each applicant is evaluated based on their video submission, and placed in the appropriate technique levels for their proficiency.   

Students who exhibit the strongest technical and artistic potential for a career in dance will be considered for a merit-based scholarship, awarded by video audition.

Online Curriculum: 
This virtual workshop will introduce the foundational components of the Lester Horton Technique as taught at the Ailey School. The approach and understanding of these foundational skills—including development of beginning level vocabulary, stretching and strengthening the body, building alignment, and the artistic use of this knowledge—will be shared in this workshop.

Each class will consist of warm up exercises, center studies (fortifications, preludes, and coordination combinations) and class sequences. By the end of the workshop, participants will have a deeper understanding of the history and framework of the Lester Horton technique and its integration to Alvin Ailey’s choreographic process and iconic works.

The online option is taught by The Ailey School Horton instructor, Lakey Evans-Peña.  A total of 10 pre-recorded classes will be available to participants between Monday, July 12 - Friday, July 23, allowing students to take the workshop at their own pace. No audition is required.

Learn more

2021 Summer Intensive Tuition 

The cost of the in-person Summer Intensive is as follows:

If paid in full by 4:00pm on May 14, 2021: $540 (includes a $50 registration fee & deposit)

If paid in full by 4:00pm on June 4, 2021: $750 (includes a $50 registration fee & deposit)

A $300 deposits is due within two weeks of acceptance in order to reserve your space.  Space in the program is limited! We recommend sending video auditions as early as possible, as we expect the program to fill before the deadline. 
The early tuition discount is only available if full payment and all enrollment materials are received by May 14.
All deposits and fee payments are non-refundable.

The cost of the Virtual Horton Workshop is as follows:

If paid in full by 4:00pm on May 14, 2021: $210 (a $35 registration fee is waived)

If paid in full by 4:00pm on June 4, 2021: $245 (includes a $35 registration fee)

Tuition info

Summer Scholarships

Students may be awarded a merit-based scholarship to the Summer Intensive, awarded by video audition. Scholarship awards cover the cost of tuition only. Housing costs are the sole responsibility of the recipient. 

Scholarship Participation fees are as follows:

Due within two weeks of acceptance: $200 (includes a $50 registration fee)

Other Fees during the Summer

• Audition Fee: $20
• Late Fee: $75 (if tuition is not received in full by June 4. Space in the program cannot be guaranteed after June 4.)

All fees are non-refundable. 

Payment Instructions

The Ailey School will offer limited housing at the Ludlow Residence for students* attending the Summer Intensive. A list of off-campus residences is also available.

Cost: $900

*Only those students who reside in New York or one of the following five contiguous states may enroll for in-person classes: New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Pennsylvania.

The Ludlow Residence

Students 17 and older may be housed at the Ludlow Residence, located in Manhattan’s vibrant Lower East Side neighborhood, a short subway commute from The Ailey School. The Ludlow Residence offers air-conditioned single rooms. Rooms come with basic dorm-style furnishings, a small refrigerator, and a microwave oven. The facility features a large common kitchen and an outdoor patio. A dedicated Ailey School Resident Assistant also lives on the premises to offer support to students as they acclimate navigating around New York City.  COVID-19 safety measures are strictly enforced at Ludlow.
(Space at the Ludlow Residence is limited)

Included in the cost of housing is wireless internet and free laundry facilities. Meals and transportation to and from The Ailey School are not included.

Off-Campus Housing

The Ailey School provides a list of independent residences and housing resources for those students in all Professional Division Programs who wish to live independently. 

Email admissions@alvinailey.org for a Housing List.

Housing FAQs