The Ailey School

Students from The Ailey School Professional Division. Photo by Nir Arieli
Please Credit Photo: Students from The Ailey School Professional Division. Photo by Nir Arieli
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The Ailey School is the official school of the world-renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. In 1969, Alvin Ailey founded The Ailey School (then called the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center) in Brooklyn, New York, with an initial enrollment of 125 students. Guided by Mr. Ailey’s mission that dance is for everybody, the School offers programs for aspiring dancers from ages 3 to 25.

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Co-Directors of The Ailey School, Tracy Inman and Melanie Person
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Students from The Ailey School Professional Division
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The Ailey School's Junior Division
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Ailey School co-director Melanie Person with students from the Professional Division
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Ana Marie Forsythe with The Ailey School students
Ana Marie Forsythe with The ... (Read More) Ana Marie Forsythe with The Ailey School students (Hide)
Co-Directors of The Ailey School, Tracy Inman and Melanie Person
Students from The Ailey School Professional Division
The Ailey School's Junior Division
Ailey School co-director Melanie Person with students from the Professional Division
Ana Marie Forsythe with The Ailey School students
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Featured Video

The Ailey School Overview
The Ailey School Overview
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Featured News Releases

AILEY Offers a Variety of Options to Celebrate Black History Month Including Live Performances, Dance Workshops, Free Classes, and Education Programming for Students and Educators

NEW YORK, NY (January 15, 2026) – As America prepares to celebrate a Century of Black History Commemorations this February, AILEY welcomes people from all walks of life to immerse themselves in the beauty of African American culture through performances, workshops, and educational programming. With a variety of options including free programming, in-person experiences, and online offerings, each initiative presents opportunities for all regardless of age, location, or dance abilities. Discover the magic of AILEY by witnessing live performances from the world-renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and spirited Ailey II; explore Alvin Ailey’s choreography at Ailey Experience and get moving to a variety of dance styles with roots in the African diaspora during workshops and weekly classes presented by Ailey Extension; explore new educational resources for students and educators, and experience the life, career and impact of the organization’s founder with the Portrait of Ailey documentary.

ALL ARTS Presents a Look Inside Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Artistic Director Robert Battle’s New Directions Choreography Lab in an Eight-Part Digital Series, Premiering May 2

ALL ARTS, the streaming platform and channel dedicated to the arts, will premiere Alvin Ailey New Directions, an eight-part digital series documenting the creative process of two choreographers as they explore new directions in dance during their residencies at the New Directions Choreography Lab, a creative residency program hosted by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Artistic Director Robert Battle and The Ailey School, with Co-Director Melanie Person.

Ailey Shares The Gift Of Holiday Revelations With Free Streaming Of Opening Night Gala From December 21 Through January 2

NEW YORK – December 21, 2022 – The Ailey organization is sharing the gift of holiday Revelations with a free streaming of the 2022 Opening Night Gala at New York City Center from today, Wednesday, December 21 through Monday, January 2 on Ailey All Access, YouTube and Facebook. The one-night-only celebration features special appearances from Honorary Chair Tamron Hall, the two-time Emmy-winning TV host, journalist, author and producer, and philanthropist Denise Littlefield Sobel, the Honoree.

Featured Press Coverage

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The Boston Globe - A Long Road To A Dream

By now, Natalya Blaine and her daughter Nasya have their routine down pat. Four days a week, Natalya wakes up, cooks lunch and dinner, then stores the meals in to-go containers as 17-year old Nasya packs up and gets dressed. They load their belongings into their car - the food, Nasya's dance shoes and clothes, Natalya's homework for her master's program - make a quick stop at BJ's for gas, call Natalya's mother to say a prayer, and are on the road by late morning.

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Dance Magazine - Certified To Teach

Jane Vorburger seemed well-qualified to teach dance back in 2008, after dancing with American Ballet Theatre for five years, getting a master’s degree in dance from New York University, and teaching at ABT and top studios like Steps on Broadway. But there was something else she felt she needed: a dance teacher certification.