Everything you need to know about Alvin Ailey Extension's Kids & Teens Sunday Dance Series

"To be who you are and become what you are capable of is the only goal worth living." - Alvin Ailey 

One of the things I appreciated most about my childhood was that my parents encouraged me to explore my interests and I involved myself in everything from chorus and poetry to track and field and JuJitsu. Being able to express myself both creatively and physically kept me driven in school and also enabled me to flourish socially, and I knew when I had kids of my own that I would want these experiences for them. One of the reasons I'm so torn about leaving New York is because I feel we live in such a diverse city where Mike and I can expose our kids to the arts and the cultures that make up this melting pot of opportunities.

There is no shortage of dance classes offered in NYC that teach varied styles to children and sometimes it's so hard to make a decision on the best program. Alvin Ailey Extensions Kids and Teens Sunday Dance Series is the perfect introduction to Ballet, Jazz and Hip Hop. 

Our 2nd born Tristan is a ball of energy that never stops moving, I'm sure if you have tweens and preschoolers at home you'll agree it's pretty tough to get them to sit still. Fortunately, we've managed to keep him and his big brother unplugged and moving over the years with soccer, track and field and most recently flag football and hip hop dance. Honestly, he can't get enough of dancing and wishes that his Thursday class met more than once a week, so I figured an opportunity to try out another school and teacher's dancing style would be a fun learning experience for him. 

AILEY EXTENSION BRINGS DANCE TO KIDS AND TEENS WITH SUMMER WORKSHOPS & WEEKLY CLASSES

 Photo: Horton with Karen Arceneaux at Ailey Experience NYC. Photo by Kyle Forman

Our summers are usually a mix of outdoor sports with the City Parks Foundation, trips to the local zoos and museums and visits to some of the city's coolest & affordable drop in classes. Ultimately my goal for our boys is to try avoid summer brain drain & balance screen time while juggling being a work at home parent so we're always on the lookout for the latest happenings across the five boroughs. This summer, Ailey Extension is offering a variety of unique dance programs for young, aspiring dancers. With one or two-week performance intensives and weekly training classes taught by New York City’s premiere choreographers and instructors, kids and teens can enjoy developing technique, enhancing musicality, and releasing creative expression. All classes take place at The Joan Weill Center for Dance – home of the world-renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ailey II, and The Ailey School.  

Lift Your Spirits into the New Year with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

Disclosure: Opinions expressed are 100% our own. We were provided tickets to facilitate this review. 

Gifting an experience seems so much cooler to me than new pajamas, a glitzy piece of jewelry or a gadget that will end up being not as trendy in just a year. In a world where we seem so caught up in who has what new hot item, creating long lasting cherished memories with loved ones is truly what the holiday season should be about. Dance is such a beautifully uniting art form that doesn't isolate or exclude, it pulls you in and captivates your spirit and mind and to me that's such a priceless gift to give and receive. You'll witness such stunning bodies of art, gracefully tell culturally rich stories to the audience of an Alvin Ailey Dance Theater performance, in a way unlike any other show you've seen. The new repertoires of work led by artistic director Robert Battle effortlessly evoke the feeling of Ailey's dictum that "dance is for everybody" as theater goers from all over witness refreshing works.