Alvin Ailey School

[idancedancedance]

Hi everyone!

 

Can anyone please speak about Ailey's preprofessional junior divison?

I auditioned in September, and was told to come back in January when I had more ballet training. I decided not to reaudition and instead work more on ballet. I am a late starter (15),so Im not so sure I will be accepted because of my age.

 

How do the levels work? What have people´s experiences been at the school(training, social aspect, etc.)

Any info would be amazing!

 

thanks,

 

idancedancedance

[quill]

No personal experience to report, but you might want to read the book Attitude which follows a group of students at Ailey for a year. Lots of information there.

[idancedancedance]

thanks so much! ill definetly pick that up

[idancedancedance]

Hey everyone!

 

Does anyone on Ballettalk go to Ailey or have a child who goes to Ailey?

 

I was wondering if I could get an inside scoop on the teaching style, curriculum, etc.

 

Thank you!

idancedancedance

[dancincorgi]

Yes! Just to reiterate the above, I would love to hear from anyone who has experience of the school and all pros and cons for the young dancer!

[idancedancedance]

Hello wveryone again!

 

Im still wondering about some info on the Ailey school..

Is there anyone willing to help?

[Tuesday]

I don't know if this is possible, but since you aren't able to find anyone on this board with Ailey School experience, maybe you could call or visit the school and ask them to put you in touch with some of their current or past students so you could get the information you're looking for.

[5-6-7-8]

My daughter auditioned for the summer junior program and was accepted into that. Other than that, I don't have any information. She won't be attending as finding a chaperone for 6 weeks was impossible (she's under 16).

 

Tuesday has offered some good advice.

[idancedancedance]

I was talking to one of my ballet teachers today about my desire to go to Alvin Ailey. She said that the only draw back was that their ballet training isnt very strong. Is this true? Can anyone speak as to their experience with Ailey's ballet in the junior division?

 

Any info would be great!

idancedancedance

[Victoria Leigh]

I have no direct experience with their school, but their dancers are certainly ballet trained and quite wonderful. I love that company! Actually, we must be very careful of saying something negative about something when we have not experienced it personally. I have had ballet students who studied there in the summer and loved it. They are not a classical company, therefore one could assume that the school is more centered on modern technique, however they do have ballet training too. It might not be the right school for someone who hopes to perform in a purely classical company, but if you want to work with the Ailey Co., or any modern/contemporary type of company, then that would be a good place to study.

[biners6]

Hi!

I'm at the ailey professional division program now. I can't say too much because this week was just placement, registration, and masterclasses, but I can tell you that everyone is required to take ballet every day (M-F), and i worked my schedule out so that I have 2 ballet classes some days. Also, you can take Ailey open classes on the weekends (ballet included) for half price, which is really nice. It's not a ballet intensive in the way that you're doing all ballet all the time, but as anyone who has seen their company can attest, their dancers are absolutely trained in ballet. I'll post more as I know more, but that's what I can say for now!

[idancedancedance]

Thanks so much! I defiently want to be a professional modern dancer, Ailey being my dream company. I was just concerned about what I heard becuase I find ballet training to be crucial.

 

Thanks again for your insight!

 

AHH THANK YOU SO MUCH!

i truly appreciate all of this information!

[Tuesday]

My son saw Ailey II perform earlier this year and was blown away! He thinks they are fabulously trained dancers, and are very diverse in terms of their ability to switch between different styles of dance. He especially loved the men, but also noted that the women were incredibly strong and beautiful dancers.

 

I read a great book called "Attitude" that examines a handful of young Ailey students. Their training is discussed at length in that book, so you might like to read it. I know you can buy it on Amazon.com, but I was able to find it at my local library.

[dancexisxbliss89]

hey i'm at the ailey professional division program right now too!!! lol i know what you mean, this week hasn't been very full of classes, although next week should be pretty crazy with getting used to all the classes right? But anyway, my name is nicole and i'm in level 5 for ballet and level 1 for horton and i'm in the west african workshop. So maybe i'll see you around right? and i totally agree with you when you say that their dancers are beautifully trained! alright then see you around biners!

[dance1soccer1]

My DD has had Ailey students at big name ballet summer programs with her every year, and I have to say that they have always been placed in high levels and danced beautifully. There didnt' seem to be any ballet training lacking!