Contemporary

A fusion of modern, ballet and jazz, this unique style explores a wide range of expressive movements and syncopated rhythms. Contemporary class is designed to work on finding the freedom in the use of movement while developing your technique and building a strong foundation. Each class evolves to the learning of original choreography while focusing on theatrical elements and mastering musicality.

Featured News Releases

Ailey Extension Kicks Off 2022 With Celebration Of Founder Alvin Ailey, New Weekly Classes, And Free Dance Cardio Workshop

(NEW YORK) January 6, 2022 – Ailey Extension is helping people all around the world kickstart their 2022 resolutions with new workshops and weekly classes to help make movement part of a fun and healthy lifestyle. Throughout January, students of all ages and experience levels will have the chance to explore new dance styles and get started on their fitness goals by getting moving with New York City’s elite instructors. The updated weekly schedule offers dancers ages 16 and up plenty of new opportunities to join in the dance either in-studio at the Joan Weill Center for Dance – NYC’s largest building dedicated to dance – or virtually from wherever they are located. Kids ages 5-11 and teens/tweens ages 12-17 can also get moving with Ailey during the Kids & Teens Sunday Dance Series.

Spring Into Dance With Ailey Extension's Special Virtual Workshops As Well As New Kids & Teens Online Session

(New York) March 9, 2021 – Ailey Extension is dancing into Spring with fresh new weekend workshops that introduce adults, children, and teens to new dance techniques. On Saturday, March 20, adult students are invited to mark the first day of Spring in three unique workshops: Absolute Beginner Ballet focusing on fundamental vocabulary, a Horton masterclass teaching the technique seen in many of Alvin Ailey’s classic works, and an Afro-Cuban dance experience complete with live music. Seasonal festivities continue a week later with a cheerful Masala Bhangra workshop celebrating the Hindu Spring “festival of colors”. Young dancers ages 5-17 are welcome to join in the dance during the Kids & Teens Online Spring session (March 1 – May 2) which features age-appropriate classes – such as a new Junior Broadway Jazz for tweens and Teen Contemporary – that allow students to build confidence as they work on their dance skills. Each of these new virtual workshops and classes are open to students of all levels, offering experienced and beginner dancers around the world the chance to learn from elite instructors.

Ailey Extension Offers Special Opportunities This Fall To Train With Celebrated Dancers And Take The Stage At The Ailey Citigroup Theater

(New York) October 7, 2019 – This October Ailey Extension offers a wealth of opportunities for dancers of all ages to learn moves from internationally-acclaimed dance icons and veterans of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Pose on FX’s Dashaun Wesley, will teach every element of vogue in a workshop focused on the culturally rich and highly stylized history and fundamentals of this alluring technique. Veteran Ailey dancer Vernard Gilmore will lead multiple Rommett Floor Barre® workshops allowing dancers to correct alignment and understand their energy. New and seasoned dancers alike will have the exciting chance to dance in a Contemporary workshop taught by Ailey’s Jamar Roberts, before he makes his premiere as Ailey’s first-ever resident choreographer. Students can take part in an exciting new collaboration project between famed Afro Latin Artist/Choreographer Sekou Miller and Senegalese Experimental Sabar Innovator Babacar Top during a lively Afro Fusions Masterclass combining African modern dance with traditional and social dances from West Africa, the Caribbean and the US. Dancers of all experience levels can learn the basics of vogue from Cesar Valentino - an icon of New York City’s famed Ballroom Vogue scene - and put their moves to the test on the runway during a Halloween- themed Vogue Workshop/Mini Ball. Ailey Extension also invites the public to join In Conversation with Masazumi Chaya, moderated by former Ailey Company member Renee Robinson, to reflect on Chaya’s history-making five-decade journey with the Ailey organization prior to his final season as Associate Artistic Director at New York City Center from December 4, 2019 – January 5, 2020.

Featured Press Coverage

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NYC Media Barefeet in NYC - Black Voices

Season 5: Ep. 1: Mickela Mallozzi kicks off this new season of Bare Feet celebrating black voices in the arts by dancing with Virginia Johnson and the renowned Dance Theatre of Harlem, along with Misty Copeland and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater! She drums and dances with the Brooklyn United Marching Band, celebrating Juneteenth with Black-owned small business owners, restaurants, and festivals throughout the city!