POSTED September 4, 2025
Meet Ailey's First Teacher Certification Cohort
The Ailey Teacher Certification Program: Ailey Horton Technique officially launched in July, welcoming its first cohort. They came willing to learn and left their first week excited by the possibilities and connections they made. The following testimonials reflect their shared experiences after that first transformative week.
The Ailey Teacher Certification Program is for dance teachers and educators from all different backgrounds and experiences, and their reasons for joining the program range from personal to professional to scholarly.
"I've been geeking out over this for the last year since it came out. I originally saw Ailey perform when they toured to the arts center in Escondido many years ago. I studied the company a little in college, and I love the technique. It just resonates with me. But I also love everything that Alvin Ailey was about in terms of dance being for everyone. I want to be able to give that to my students."
Angela | Escondido, CA
The idea behind Ailey Horton technique is that it can act as a foundation, both technically and creatively, for all kinds of dance explorations. Here are some of the ways the first cohort has noticed their practice changing.
"It's a unique program. I think having Ailey Horton completely changes the way we look at the technique and artistry, because here we have two elements: We have Alvin Ailey's approach to technique, but most importantly his artistry, emotion, and experience. And then, Lester Horton's more codified and structured part of it. When you combine both of these things, it becomes for me the ultimate formula of dance."
Boyko | Norman, OK
The certification program is really going to change how I am as a teacher, just based off the experiences I've already had this week, and being able to physically feel within my body the changes and adjustments I've been making to my own practice.
A major draw for many of the program’s participants has been the opportunity to connect with other teachers and educators from all over the world.
"I have learned so much from listening to other teachers teach in different languages, use different imagery and different metaphors, and realign our perspectives of what we think Ailey Horton Technique might be, coming together to continue moving that forward. I feel really honored to be among this amazing group of teaching artists."
Claire | Bay Area, CA
To be with people from France, England, Poland—it feels like this space is an incubator for humanity, where we all feel that sense of belonging and have access to conversation that unites us into the universal language of dance.
For some, the decision to join the program had a personal element. The world Alvin Ailey established here has touched many people’s lives, and the connection to that history only makes the program more meaningful to many of our first participants.
"As a child, my mom thought it was important for me to go and see Alvin Ailey every year. I then auditioned for the The Ailey School, so I was in the Junior Division for a little while. It means so much to see people that look like you, that come from all over, on stage at such a high, rigorous level. It gives hope for the future, for innovation, for myself, for my teaching practices. I think that this legacy is truly in me and in others, and through this Ailey Teacher Certification Program, it's going to push all of us and carry the legacy forward."
Njelama | New Jersey
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Hero Credit: Photo by Jada Alfred