Summer Intensive (Ages 14-16)
Program Details
July 26, 2021 to August 6, 2021
The Junior Division Summer Intensive is a two-week intensive training program for students ages 14-16*. The Ailey School’s Summer Intensive offers young dancers an opportunity to train in a vibrant professional environment centered in the heart of New York City’s Theater District. Motivated students with at least three years of consistent training receive first class dance training among a student body of versatile dancers who strive for excellence.
*Students ages 11-13 interested in applying should email juniordivision@alvinailey.org.
Enrollment Options
In-Person Classes: Junior Division Summer Intensive classes will be offered in person. Taught by a distinguished faculty, program curriculum includes ballet, Horton, Limón and a master class with a guest artist. Please Note: Due to COVID-19 restrictions as well as state and local travel bans, only residents that live within the New York/New Jersey/Connecticut Tri-State area will be permitted to attend the in-person Summer Intensive.
Online Option: Junior Division Summer Intensive classes will be offered in person only. Online training for kids and teens is available through the Ailey Extension. No audition is required.





Admissions
Please Note: Due to COVID-19 restrictions as well as state and local travel bans, only residents that live within the New York/New Jersey/Connecticut Tri-State area will be permitted to attend the in-person Summer Intensive.
Summer Intensive Application Procedures
Acceptance to the 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. Video applications received after the program is full will be place 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.
Tuition & Fees
2021 Summer Intensive Tuition
The cost of the 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 deposit is due within two weeks of acceptance in order to reserve your space. Space in the program is limited! We recommend applying and paying as early as possible, as we expect the program to fill before the deadline. Videos applications received after the program is full will be place on a waiting list.
*Early tuition discount is only available if full payment and all enrollment materials are received by May 14.
All deposits and tuition payments are non-refundable.
Summer Scholarships
Students may be awarded a merit-based scholarship to the Summer Intensive, awarded by video audition. Scholarship awards are applied to the cost of tuition only.
- Participation Fee: $150
- Registration Fee: $50
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.
Housing
The Ailey School will not offer housing for students ages 14-16 attending the Summer Intensive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Students must commit to training for the duration of the Junior Division Summer Intensive Program. We do not allow partial participation or late arrival to the program.
Students who will be 17 years of age by the start of the Junior Division Summer Intensive Program should audition for the Professional Division Summer Intensive Program, even if they are 16 at the time they apply.
Students will be notified according to the following timeline:
- Apply by January 15, 2021; receive application results by week of January 31, 2021
- Apply by January 29, 2021; receive application results by week of February 15, 2021
- Apply by February 12, 2021; receive application results by week of February 22, 2021
- Apply by February 26, 2021; receive application results by week of March 15, 2021
This question is understandable given the enthusiasm for in-person learning and the promise of the vaccine. However, The Ailey School is guided by government safety mandates and by the predictions of medical experts on the vaccine's efficacy by the start of the Summer Intensive. Therefore, we plan to enroll only dancers from New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut regardless of a student's vaccine status. The Ailey School will continue to require face masks in all classes throughout the summer session. All safety and health mandates currently in place at The Ailey School will continue as well. Please refer to our COVID-19 Announcements, to Ailey Forward, and to New York Forward for the most up to date guidelines and detailed information.
Yes, a negative PCR test will be required. Antigen or antibody tests are not acceptable. The nasal swab PCR test is the only test we will accept.
The test must be dated no more than 5 days prior to the first day of class (not later than July 7 for Professional Division students, and not later than July 21 for Junior Division students).
Yes. Students are encouraged to bring their own mask that can be washed and re-used daily. Ailey will also have enough masks, gloves, face shields, hand sanitizers, and wipes on hand for everyone in the building.
Yes. For the safety of everyone in the building, all students, faculty, and musicians are required to wear a mask at all times during class. All staff in The Joan Weill Center for Dance are also required to wear a mask at all times.
Yes. The Ailey School uses the HealthCheck by Stratum, used to screen for potential COVID-19 related symptoms prior to students entering the building. Every day, students must complete the HealthCheck screening in the app before departing from home, 2 hours prior to the start of class. Only those students who receive a green notification at the end of the screening will be admitted to enter the building.
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Healthcheck FAQ's>
Yes, students must take their temperature every morning prior to logging into the Healthcheck app. All students are required to have a digital thermometer.
Yes. Members of Ailey’s security staff will be present to assist as you take your no-touch temperature on temple or wrist. If you register a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher, you will not be permitted to proceed into the building.
No. Due to COVID-19 restrictions as well as state and local travel bans, only residents that live within a 45-mile radius of NYC will be permitted to attend the Junior Division Summer Intensive Program.
Junior Division students attend 10-11 classes per week. Classes take place Monday through Friday.
Generally, students have 2 classes per day, except on days when master classes are held. Classes take place between 9am and 6pm Monday through Friday. Each class is approximately one hour and 30 minutes.
All students who have submitted a video audition have been placed in the appropriate levels by the audition panel.
We are complying with COVID-19 safety precautions and are keeping class sizes to no more than 12 students per cohort. Classes of this size will also allow faculty to have better interaction and make more focused evaluations of students work.
No. Make-up classes are not offered.
Admission is by submission of an online application and video audition. Please refer to the video audition guidelines for specifications on video requirements.
Yes. Students may be selected to receive a merit-based scholarship to the Junior Division Summer Intensive Program. Scholarship awards are applied to tuition only.
No, there is no formal dress code. However, students should abide by the following:
- Appropriate dance attire must be worn in all classes.
- Ballet shoes must be worn in ballet classes.
- Dance attire must be form fitting (leggings are permitted).
- No loose or baggy articles of clothing. No layers.
- No transparent dance attire.
- No shorts, cut-offs, crop-tops, or bra tops are allowed.
- Clothing must not inhibit your ability to fully execute movement.
No, students will receive a pre-made schedule of 10-11 classes per week after they have registered and paid.
Yes, a virtual presentation will take place at the end of the session! Students will have an opportunity to present what they have learned in virtual studio showings.
No, there is currently not an option to train virtually for the Junior Division Summer Intensive Program.