Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater - New York, New York

Jutta Koser

Wie schon im letzten Jahr besuche ich für einige Wochen New York um hier bei Alvin Ailey Stunden in "Horten" und "Contemporary Dance" zu belegen.Es ist fantastisch und immer das Highlight meiner Reise. Es lohnt sich für alle "Bewegungsmenschen" selbst wenn ihr nur eine Stunde besucht.

Kisha Johnson-Smith

The last time I visited NYC, I totally forget Ailey was here. I didn’t forget and found the location this time. I wanted to take the Hip Hop class but time didn’t allow for it. No worries because classes are offered online. If I lived in Manhattan…this location would be a part of my life! Love Ailey and attend the performances every Spring in Chicago! So glad I was able to find the location.

Angelina Darrisaw

Alvin Ailey has a beautiful legacy and is a remarkable experience. The dancing is beautiful enough to make you cry every time.

Emily S

So disappointed. Been here many times for auditions in the past and several open classes. The facilities are gorgeous and the teachers I had taken class with were wonderful - but the cost of class and their protocols for open community class passes are ridiculous. Besides the immense difficulty to get assistance on the phone (they refuse to help you before 5pm even tho the open classes are happening all throughout the day), it’s not a place for you if you don’t have deep pockets.
***With a $6 million net income (public record as it’s a non profit and $49.3mil. In revenue) it is quite honestly extremely sad and disheartening that they don’t have any interest in offering assistance to professional dancers of low income. As a company that should be a pioneer for paving the way for dance opportunities and facilitating dance accessibility to all- they seem to have absolutely no interest in actually practicing this. Will never return here again for an open class unfortunately due to the immense difficulty I had with the desk staff and unhelpful service I experienced that makes me feel unwelcome and hypocritical to my stance for dancer inclusivity.

SEE MISSION STATEMENT HERE:

The mission of Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation is to further the pioneering vision of the choreographer, dancer, and cultural leader Alvin Ailey by building an extended cultural community which provides dance performances, training and education, and community programs for all people. This performing arts community plays a crucial social role, using the beauty and humanity of the African-American heritage and other cultures to unite people of all races, ages and backgrounds.

Cont…

On stage and off, we seek to bring together an inclusive community with no limitations.

Jessica Seda

I went there for the first time today to take the beginner heels class. The people who checked us in were so friendly. The instructor Courtney was amazing. She was very encouraging and patient. She kept asking if we had any questions or if we needed her to go over any steps. She made sure that everyone was comfortable. It was an all around great experience. I'll be going back for her class next week and I'm looking into the other beginner classes they offer.

L. Bloom

What a privilege to get to dance, as a person off the street, with such prominent and wonderful teachers.

Judith McCarty's Afro'Dance has been an epic experience. Her teaching style doesn't focus on choreography so much as gently drilling various movements – so you get the FEEL of the dance in your body. So as opposed to having "steps" to memorize... back on the street, I find my body just spontaneously responding to music with movements I first practiced with Judith.

Why is everything in New York so amazing?

Damien MESME

Écoles de danse réputée à international. Locaux propre et moderne. Salle de cours spacieuse. Staff agréable. De nombreux cours disponible du lundi au dimanche inclus. Facile à trouver. Attention impossible de se garer.

Thomas Wyngaard

March update:
- never heard any feedback from Ailey despite my many attempt to reach out (social networks, front desk…) and them telling me my request is in good hand.
- on March 9th, a student threw up during the class, because it was overcrowded and no control on temperature in the room. A room in the basement with no windows doesn't help.
- for some reason, when another teacher is subbing, we end up on the ground floor, in a classroom with windows. It doesn't seem very fair.

- - -
I have been following Voguing class for a while at Ailey Extension. Before attending classes regularly here, I have been trying other classes around town. It happened to me that Cesar, the teacher, was doing an amazing job at not only teaching how to Vogue, but also at being INCLUSIVE, which means showing strong teaching skills. You can be good at something, but it doesn’t mean you will be good at teaching it… well, Cesar’s classes at Ailey Extension combine both of these skills.
This reflects a lot in the crowd following the class: it is super diverse, in background, age, gender… and this is exactly, as a foreigner like me, but resident here now, what NYC is about: diversity. Cesar Valentino not only brings Voguing and teaching to a high level, but also brings the true essence of NYC, and this is everything.
The great thing about Voguing here is to learn about walking a runway, but also empowerment through femininity! No matter your gender, everyone wear heels here, and everyone gets super excited about it! It’s not only a performing class, it’s also a lot about exploring yourself and gain self-confidence through femininity. Every time friends of mine are visiting, I bring them to this class, and their enthusiasm when leaving it means a lot, and it works every time thanks to Cesar and his skills.

But why such a bad rating you might ask.. well, the thing is that it feels like Ailey extension doesn’t support what happens here:
1/ Vogue class used to happen in upper level rooms when I started in spring, but now we are in a basement every time, in a room that is way too small and runway gets difficult because of overcrowded room. It feels like Ailey Extension feels shame about showing men wearing heels to the public, when other classes with heels are being put under the light. Historically, the Vogue community has always been struggling and considered underground. Nowadays, vogue communities and scenes are popping everywhere in the world, not to mention TV shows like My House or Pose, but Ailey Extension seems like not really understanding the potential of this, and keep « us » in a basement. It just feels wrong.
2/ There is only one class a week here, where in every other dance facility, vogue classes happen 3 to 4 times a week. This is very frustrating when you enjoy such a class to only have it once a week… again, why

At the end, it feels like Ailey Extension doesn’t fully support Voguing, and it hurts to feel not supported, specially when as a participant to this class, you can feel such a high energy every time. Maybe I missed something, or maybe Ailey Extension is a bit blind.

So, this message feels a bit like an open letter: Dear Ailey Extension, would you make a statement in supporting this class, open new sessions and help build a community here!! Until then, I have decided to not fully support Ailey Extension as long as they are not ready to make a change and be more rewarding to what happens here, until further notice.

I hope you will hear this message, because I’m living for Saturdays thanks to Cesar and his Voguing class, but the bitter taste I get from the lack of support from A.E. needs to be solved.

Will 2019 be the year for Vogue to shine at Ailey Extension?
I hope yes!