Junior Division Summer Intensive (ages 12 to 15)
Summer in New York City!
June 24, 2024 to July 19, 2024
The Junior Division Summer Intensive is a four-week intensive training program for students ages 12-15*. 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.
*Student ages by the start of the program (not at the time of audition).
All Junior Division Summer Intensive classes will be offered in person. Taught by a distinguished faculty, program curriculum includes Ballet, Horton, Graham, Limón, Jazz, Contemporary, and West African.
Note: Students must attend all 4 weeks of the intensive. We do not allow partial participation or latecomers.
Admission
Junior Division Summer Intensive Application Procedures
Acceptance to the Summer Intensive is by submission of the following:
- an online application.
- a $20 application fee.
- an audition* - students may audition in person OR by video.
- Video applicants must also submit two dance photos in the following positions: First Arabesque & Tendu a la Seconde
Video Audition Deadlines
The deadline to submit an application and video audition has been extended to March 15, 2024.
However, 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.
Curriculum
The Junior Division Summer Intensive offers a leveled course of study designed to fulfill Alvin Ailey's visionary philosophy of training versatile dancers. The program offers several techniques in small class sizes of 25 students or less. The weekly schedule will consist of daily technique classes and a master class.
Technique Offerings:
- Ballet
- Horton
- Graham-based modern
- Limón
- West African
- Jazz
- Contemporary
Level Placement:
Students, at the time of audition, are assigned placement in one of four class levels A-D.
Class Schedules:
*Please note that all class times are subject to change.
Each level will have Ballet five days per week and Horton, which is the signature modern technique taught at The Ailey School, three times per week. Based on level placement, students are assigned additional classes in Limón, Graham, West African, Jazz or Contemporary. Pointe is offered for students placed in Levels B-D only.
All students will have the opportunity to participate in master classes and to perform at the end of the term.
Tuition & Fees
2024 Tuition costs
Costs listed below include a $50 registration fee & $300 advance deposit. Discounts are available if paid by the early payment deadlines listed.
Cost of the 4-week Summer Intensive:
- $2315 - If paid in full by 4:00pm on April 12, 2024
- $2430 - If paid in full by 4:00pm on May 10, 2024
Deposits
There is no guarantee that the Intensive will not fill to capacity before the final payment deadlines listed above. Therefore, a non-refundable $300 deposit is required two weeks after acceptance in order to reserve a place. We strongly recommend making the non-refundable deposit as early as possible.
Summer Scholarship Participation fees
Students may be awarded a merit-based scholarship based on their audition. Scholarship awards cover the cost of tuition only. The following Participation fees and Housing costs are the sole responsibility of the recipient.
- Level 1 Scholarship - $250 (includes a $50 registration fee)
- Level 2 Scholarship - $375 (includes a $50 registration fee)
Scholarship fees are non-refundable and are due in full two weeks after notification of acceptance.
Other Fees during the Summer
- Audition Fee: $20
- Late Fees:
$75 applies for tuition payments received after 4:00pm on May 10, 2024
$75 applies for Scholarship fees received after 4:00pm on April 12, 2024 - McMahon Residence Hall: to be determined
All fees are non-refundable.
Housing
Junior Division Summer Housing
The Ailey School offers Junior Division students dormitory housing at the nearby McMahon Hall. Students must be 14 years of age or older by June 25 (there are NO exceptions to this policy).. It is not possible to apply for housing prior to being accepted and submitting a tuition deposit. Directions on how to apply for Summer Housing are sent to accepted students after they have made a tuition deposit to the Summer Intensive. Space is limited and is on a first-come, first-served basis, therefore we strongly recommend that you reserve housing as early as possible.
- Securing housing prior to your arrival in New York is crucial for participation in the Summer Intensive.
- Off-Campus housing costs in New York can be very costly. Do not reserve your place in the Summer Intensive until you have secured reliable housing, whether on-campus or off-campus.
- The Ailey School offers limited On-Campus Housing on a first come-first served basis for ages 14 and older.
- We strongly encourage students to reserve their place in the Summer Intensive as soon as possible and then immediately reserve their housing in one of the Ailey summer dormitories.
- Enrolling in the Summer Intensive does not guarantee a spot in the dormitories, unless a housing deposit is made.
Reserving Housing - Deadlines:
- Summer Housing enrollment opens on January 15, 2024.
- A $300 Housing deposit is required to reserve your place. (Housing deposit is separate from tuition deposit)
- We recommend making the housing deposit right after you make your tuition deposit, as housing is limited and tends to fill up quickly!
- The final date to make a housing deposit is April 19, or as soon as housing fill to capacity (whichever comes first).
- The balance of housing fees is due by May 17.
- All housing fees are non-refundable.
- Fees are subject to change.
Fordham University’s McMahon Hall
Fordham University's McMahon Hall dormitory is a five minute walk from The Ailey School. McMahon Hall offers air-conditioned apartment-style housing with a 24-hour security guard. Each suite contains a common room, kitchen, bathroom, and either 2 or 3 bedrooms that can accommodate 2 to 3 students per bedroom. Apartments come with basic dorm-style furnishings. Kitchens are equipped with refrigerators, electric stove-top oven, and sink.
Included in the cost of housing is wireless internet and free laundry facilities. Chaperones and Resident Assistants live on-site to monitor students and plan activities on weekends and evenings.
Meals are not included, but students can prepare meals in each suites full kitchen facilities. There are also numerous eateries and supermarkets in the immediate vicinity.
2024 Housing costs
Junior Division - ages 14 to 15
Cost:
$2445 - 4-week session
Health and Safety Protocols
Mask Policy
As of March 1, 2023, the Joan Weill Center for Dance is a mask-optional environment. While masks will still be encouraged, they will not be mandatory for students, faculty, musicians and staff of The Ailey School
Masks are also optional, but strongly recommended, at the Ludlow Residence and at Fordham University McMahon Hall.
Note: A masking policy will remain in effect for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Ailey II dancers and crew, and anyone working in direct contact with these individuals.
Vaccine Policy
The Ailey School and Fordham University's McMahon Hall no longer require students who are taking in person classes or residing at McMahon Hall to submit proof of vaccination and booster shot for COVID-19. However, because communal dormitory living and the dance studio environment involve close contact, physical exertion, and perspiration, we strongly recommend that students continue to be vaccinated and boosted for COVID-19, as well as maintaining an annual flu vaccine.
*Health & Safety Protocols are subject to change without notice.
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 16 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 15 at the time they apply.
Admission is by submission of an online application and audition in-person, or by video. Please refer to the video audition guidelines for specifications on video requirements.
Students will be notified within 3 weeks of attending an audition or submitting their video audition. Note: Video Auditions will begin being reviewed in early January 2023.
Yes. The Junior Division staff will host a mandatory Parent & Student Orientation Meeting in June. Date: To be determined.
Yes. The Dress Code will be announced later in the Spring.
Due to strict Covid safety protocols, parents or visitors are not permitted to enter The Ailey School building.
All students who have auditioned in person or by video audition have been placed in the appropriate levels by the audition panel.
Students have 3 classes per day Monday through Friday.
No, students will receive and must register for a pre-assigned schedule of 15 classes per week.
We are complying with COVID-19 safety precautions and are keeping class sizes in each cohort under 25 - 30 students. Classes of this size will also allow faculty to have better interaction and make more focused evaluations of students work.
Please refer to Ailey Forward for the latest safety information.
No. Make-up classes are not offered.
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.
Housing is available to students who will be 14 years old (or older) by April 1st at Fordham University’s McMahon Hall. A separate application is available on a first-come, first-serve basis to accepted students who submit a deposit.
No, there is currently not an option to train virtually for the Junior Division Summer Intensive Program.
Please be sure to carefully review the information found on our Health & Safety FAQ page.