Ailey Extension

Ailey Extension The official dance studio of AILEY. Giving dance back to the people.
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06/04/2026

Learn from world-renowned instructors, former Ailey dancers, and professional NYC choreographers this summer in New York City.

Ailey Experience NYC is a non-competitive intensive for young dancers ages 8–21 of all levels. Daily classes in ballet, contemporary, Horton, jazz, hip hop, West African dance, and more — with a final showcase for friends and family at the end of each week.

Choose one week or both. No audition required.
Week 1: Aug 3–7 | Week 2: Aug 10–14

Register here: https://ailey.org/classes/ailey-experience-nyc

Next Saturday, Afro-Haitian dance returns to Ailey Extension with Julio Jean. Beginning June 6, dive into the movement v...
05/30/2026

Next Saturday, Afro-Haitian dance returns to Ailey Extension with Julio Jean.

Beginning June 6, dive into the movement vocabulary of Haitian dance through the sacred dances of Yanvalu, Nago, and Kongo. Accompanied by live drumming, each workshop offers a powerful introduction to the Iwa of the Vodou tradition and the cultural histories woven into every movement.

✨ Live drumming
✨ Open to all levels
✨Saturdays in June

June 6–27
Registration Open
https://ailey.org/series/afro-haitian-julio-jean

05/22/2026

Experience the rhythms, movement, and spirit of Senegal this weekend at the CTM & AMM Festival, happening today through Sunday, May 24.

Returning to The Ailey Studios, this annual gathering honors the life and legacy of Abdou Maty M’Baye and celebrates the enduring impact of the M’Baye family, a renowned griot and musical lineage that has carried West African dance and drum traditions across generations and communities around the world.

Organized by Extension instructor Babacar M’Baye, the festival brings together master dancers, drummers, and cultural leaders for three days of Sabar, Djembè, Tama, Serere/Wango, Kutiro/Bougarabou, and more. From powerful classes to live drumming and community celebration, this is a chance to experience the richness of Senegalese culture in the heart of NYC.

Join us beginning today at 3pm at The Ailey Studios.

Single classes and day passes available. All levels welcome.

05/20/2026

A perfect day to dance in Times Square ☀️

Join Ailey Extension today at 5pm for a free Mambo class with Katherine Jiménez.

📍 Broadway between 45th & 46th St
✨ All levels welcome and encouraged

05/18/2026

What’s happening at Ailey Extension this week ✨

Join us around NYC for free classes, live music, and movement experiences all week long!

Wednesday, May 20
NY Style Mambo with Katherine Jimenez
Join us in Times Square for a free outdoor dance class with .

Friday, May 22
Dance Jam with Aaron Thomas
Join us at Free Friday Night at the for a mixed-genre pop-up dance class.

Friday, May 22 – Sunday, May 24
Cheikh Tairou M’Baye & Abdou Maty M’Baye Festival
Organized by Babacar M’Baye (), join renowned instructors and master drummers from around the world for a weekend of traditional West African dance and drum workshops honoring the life and legacy of the Sing Sing Family.

All levels welcome and encouraged.
Visit the link in our bio to learn more and dance with us this week!

Today we welcomed dancers back to the studio for the start of our Kids & Teens Performance Workshops.From Ballet and Hip...
05/16/2026

Today we welcomed dancers back to the studio for the start of our Kids & Teens Performance Workshops.

From Ballet and Hip Hop to Broadway Dance, Contemporary Modern, and West African Dance, students ages 9–17 will spend the next five weeks building performance skills, creative confidence, and community alongside Ailey instructors.

Registration is still open through the second rehearsal for each workshop.

Final performance: Saturday, June 20 at the Ailey Citigroup Theater.
All levels welcome and encouraged.
https://ailey.org/classes/kids-teens-performance-workshop

05/11/2026

Yesterday at Ailey Extension, dancers celebrated Judith Jamison Day by learning excerpts from her groundbreaking work Divining with former Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater member and Ailey Extension instructor Linda Celeste Sims.

Created in 1984, Divining was Judith Jamison’s first choreographic success and revealed the musical sophistication, mystery, and striking movement quality that would define her voice as a dancemaker. Rooted in African polyrhythms and movement traditions from across the continent, the work explores search, transformation, and spiritual quest through a bold and deeply modern movement language.

Honoring the legendary Judith Jamison and her enduring artistic legacy. ❤️

05/09/2026

Dance belongs to everyone. 💚

This spring, Ailey Extension instructors and former Ailey dancers traveled to 6 cities bringing dance directly to local communities across the country.

671 dancers.
Across generations and experience levels.
No audition required.

From first-time students to lifelong movers, Ailey Experience creates space to train, connect, and experience the joy of dance.

Thank you to every dancer, parent, teacher, musician, local partner, and community member who helped make this season possible.

The experience continues in NYC this summer.
Ailey Experience NYC • August 3–14
https://ailey.org/classes/ailey-experience

South African choreographer and creative director returns to the Ailey Studios this Friday, May 8 for a 2-hour, beginne...
05/06/2026

South African choreographer and creative director returns to the Ailey Studios this Friday, May 8 for a 2-hour, beginner-friendly Amapiano workshop.

Lee-ché Janecke, known as Litchi HOV, builds a movement language that feels both ancestral and futuristic, rooted in South African rhythm. A 2026 Standard Bank Young Artist for Dance, he’s spent over a decade shaping a distinct choreographic voice that reworks global influences through an African lens.

As the creative force behind Grammy Award-winning artist Tyla, he helped propel “Water” into a global dance moment, with additional work earning a 2025 MTV VMA nomination for Best Choreography. From South African television to international stages, his work continues to shape contemporary dance culture.

Now on a global tour, Litchi brings his approach to NYC through high-impact workshops and cultural exchange.

All levels welcome and encouraged.
Spots are limited. Link in bio.

Address

405 W 55th Street
New York, NY
10019

Opening Hours

Monday 5pm - 9pm
Tuesday 9am - 11:30am
5pm - 9pm
Wednesday 11am - 1pm
5pm - 9pm
Thursday 9am - 11:30am
5pm - 9pm
Friday 5pm - 9pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

(212) 405-9500

Website

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