Professional Division Summer Intensive (ages 16 to 25)
Summer in New York City!
June 24, 2024 to July 26, 2024
The Ailey School’s Professional Division Summer Intensive offers intermediate to advanced dancers an opportunity to train in-person in a vibrant professional environment centered in the heart of New York City’s Theater District. Motivated students ages 16 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.
*Age parameters are the age of student by the start of the program (not at the time of audition).
Enrollment
We will offer a 5-week session taught by our distinguished faculty. The curriculum includes ballet, Horton, Graham-based modern, and additional techniques.
The 5-week intensive includes a repertory workshop taught by a guest artist. The workshop may culminate in a performance in the Ailey Citigroup Theater.
*Students must attend all 5 weeks of the intensive. We do not allow partial participation or latecomers.
Admission
Video Audition Deadline
The deadline to submit an application and video audition has passed.
Professional 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.
In-Person Auditions: Audition cities and dates are be posted on our Auditions page.
*Video Auditions: An audition Video Demonstration and instructions are posted on our Video Auditions page. Students should refer to that video for specifications on video requirements.
*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.
Tuition & Fee Information
Curriculum
Alvin Ailey believed that dancers should have the versatile training that produces a “ballet bottom and a modern top”. The training at The Ailey School is structured with this philosophy in mind.
Professional Division Summer Intensive students attend classes Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00am and 5:00pm. The weekly curriculum of 15 classes includes a daily ballet class, and a daily modern technique class of either Horton and/or Graham–based modern.
Student technique levels are determined based on their in-person audition or by their video audition. Each applicant is evaluated based on their audition performance and placed in the appropriate technique levels for their proficiency.
Students will receive their class schedule by email a week prior to the start of the Intensive, as long as they have completed the enrollment process in full and have paid all tuition and fees. An Orientation will take place on Zoom on June 18.
Scholarships: Students who exhibit the strongest technical and artistic potential for a career in dance will be considered for a merit-based scholarship based on their performance at their in-person audition or by their video audition.
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 5-week Summer Intensive:
-
$2650 - If paid in full by 4:00pm on April 12, 2024
-
$2775 - 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 - 5-week session
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 - Housing - available at an additional cost
All fees are non-refundable.
Housing
Professional Division Summer Housing
The Ailey School offers two housing options for Professional Division students 16 and older. 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 in both dormitories is limited and 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 - ages 16 to 17
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, free laundry facilities, and two complementary physical therapy visits with The Ailey School Physical Therapists. 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.
2024 Housing costs
Professional Division - ages 16 to 17
Cost:
$2835 - 5-week session
The Ludlow Residence ages - 18 and older
Students 18 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-occupancy 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.
Included in the cost of housing is wireless internet, free laundry facilities, and two complementary physical therapy visits with The Ailey School Physical Therapists. Meals and transportation to and from The Ailey School are not included.
(Space at the Ludlow Residence is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis.)
2024 costs
Professional Division - ages 18 and older
Cost:
$2835 - 5-week session
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.
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
As of January 1, 2023, The Ailey School no longer requires students who are taking in person classes to submit proof of vaccination and booster shot for COVID-19. However, because the dance studio environment involves 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.
As of May 1, 2023: Student's residing at McMahon Hall and the Ludlow Residence are no longer required to submit proof of vaccination and booster shot for COVID-19. However, because communal dormitory living involves close contact 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
Depending on the technique, the class level, and the studio size, classes are kept between under 25 - 30 students.* Classes of this size will also allow faculty to have better interaction and make more focused evaluations of students work.
*Due to the popularity of our Summer Intensive, some techniques may be larger during the summer.
Yes, a limited number of spaces will be available at the Ludlow Residence, a short subway commute from The Ailey School. Space is prioritized for out-of-state students and those who do not permanently reside within a reasonable commuting distance to The Ailey School. Housing applications will be sent to all accepted students.
Yes. Merit-based scholarships may be awarded to students who exhibit the highest potential at their audition. We regret that need-based financial aid is not available for the Summer Intensive.
Yes, International Students who live outside of the U.S. may submit a video audition. Students should contact the International Student Advisor for guidance on the correct visa to obtain for short-term, avocational study in the U.S.
Professional Division Students are permitted to wear colorful form fitting dance attire of their choice while adhering to the guidelines listed in the Summer Intensive Student Handbook.
All students who have attended an audition have been placed in the appropriate levels by the audition panel.
Students should keep in mind that levels at The Ailey School do not correspond to the levels at other schools. Therefore, the level you attend at your current school has no bearing on the level you will be placed in at The Ailey School.
No, as of March 1, 2023, the Joan Weill Center for Dance became 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
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.
All protocols and FAQs are subject to change without notice.
Please be sure to carefully review the information found on our Health & Safety FAQ page.