Great news for the young dancers in your life, the Ailey Extension will be opening their doors, this summer, to kids and teens who are serious about the art of dance.  They are offering three immersive, multi-day training workshops taught by New York City’s top choreographers and master teachers. Ailey Experience NYC Jr., Ailey Experience NYC, and Fabrice Herrault’s Ballet Summer Intensive allow young dancers to learn technique, musicality, and performance skills.

Started in 2005, Ailey Extension has fulfilled Mr. Ailey’s life-long commitment of bringing dance to everyone by offering “real classes for real people.” To that end, the Ailey Extension offers over 25 different dance and fitness techniques such as Horton, Ballet, Masala Bhangra, West African, Samba, Jazz, Zumba, House and Hip-Hop. Over 125,000 people call Ailey home and it’s New York’s largest building dedicated to dance, where dancers of all levels and walks of life can learn and be inspired – body, mind, and spirit! 

Here is what is happening from August 7 to 18:

Ailey Experience NYC, Jr. – Aug. 7-11, 10am - 3pm (Ages 8-12)

Young dancers between 8-12 years old can experience a variety of techniques during this one-week workshop, including ballet, hip-hop, contemporary, Horton, and Broadway jazz. Each class is designed to encourage creativity and help each child gain confidence in a non-competitive environment. Great news.  No prior dance experience is required. Twelve world class instructors from Ailey Extension and The Ailey School lead the training sessions, including Ailey II dancer Terri Wright. ($650 per child)

Ailey Experience NYC – Aug. 7-11 & 14-18, 10am - 6pm (Ages 13-19)

Modified for teenagers between 13-19 years old, Ailey Experience NYC offers dancers the opportunity to train and perform a variety of techniques, such as ballet, hip-hop, contemporary, Horton, and Broadway jazz. Held at the home of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, this program will culminate with a performance for family and friends. Week 1 is already sold out, but there’s still a chance to sign up for week 2 or the full two-week experience, which is led by top instructors from The Ailey School and Ailey Extension, including NY Style Mambo’s Katherine Jimenez, hip-hop pros Jonathan Lee and TweetBoogie, and ballet extraordinaire Peter Brandenhoff. ($675 for week 2 only / $1,250 for two weeks)

Fabrice Herrault Ballet Summer Intensive – Aug. 7-11 & 14-18 (Ages 10-19)

Renowned ballet instructor Fabrice Herrault returns this summer to lead his two-week intensive rooted in the tradition of the Paris Opera Ballet. Committed to the growth of each student, this program has a strong focus on technique, artistry, and musicality. The daily classes are open to advanced beginner, intermediate, and advanced dancers, and will offer ballet technique, pointe variations, and men’s classes. Sofiane Sylve, principal ballerina of San Francisco Ballet, will join Mr. Herrault as a teaching artist. ($600 one week / $1,200 two weeks)

In addition to these workshops, Ailey Extension offers over 25 different dance and fitness classes, seven days a week for students 16 years or older.

To learn more about how to get the kids in your life dancing, visit www.aileyextension.com for the full schedule.