Technique
Afro-Cuban
Instructors
Pricing
- In-Studio New Students $20
- In-Studio Single Class Card $25
- In-Studio 3 Class Card $70
- In-Studio 5 Class Card $115
- In-Studio 10 Class Card $220
Afro-Cuban Folkloric
Explore the various forms of the Afro-Cuban dance tradition while practicing different movements representing the Orisahas (deities from the African traditions brought to Cuba). In this class, students delve into the dance’s history and the cultural importance behind each movement. Based on each dancer’s skill, knowledge, and experience, the class allows participants to embrace an accessible path to understanding dance through the quality of movement and cultural context.
Afro-Cuban Modern
Afro-Cuban modern dance is a dynamic fusion of North American modern dance techniques—including Graham, Limón, and Taylor—with Afro-Cuban technique and rhythm. The class consists of a warm-up with a focus on breathing and undulation before moving across the floor and finishing with a combination. The unique movements and rhythms introduced in class will require dancers to think more intently about space, time, and musicality. The purpose of this class is to introduce dancers to a new, rarely seen form of modern dance, and provide them with an avenue for self-expression.
Our classes are defined by the following so you can determine which level is best for you.
- Absolute Beginner (ABS BEG): for students with little to no prior experience or knowledge of the technique.
- Beginner (BEG): for students with a basic understanding of the fundamentals and foundations of the technique.
- Advanced Beginner (ADV BEG): for students with prior experience and a more comprehensive understanding of the technique and vocabulary.
- Intermediate/Advanced (INT/ADV): for students with extensive training and an expansive knowledge of the technique and its proper alignment.
- Open: for students of any level.
Upcoming Classes
FAQs
It's easy to start dancing at Ailey Extension. First, create an Ailey Extension Mindbody account online here or through the Ailey Extension app.
We encourage students to register for class in advance—classes and workshops can and do sell out. Simply sign into Mindbody in our app or on your browser, find your class or workshop, click “Book,” and pay for your class. Please note that class packages are subject to expiration dates upon activation.
Students are also welcome to sign up for class at the Extension Desk at The Joan Weill Center for Dance by paying with card, cash, or contactless payments.
You must be 16 or older to take Ailey Extension classes and workshops.
If your child is not old enough to take our drop-in classes or workshops, we offer Kids & Teens classes for ages 2–3 and 5–17 every Sunday.
Our classes are defined by the following:
- Absolute Beginner (ABS BEG): for students with little to no prior experience or knowledge of the technique.
- Beginner (BEG): for students with a basic understanding of the fundamentals and foundations of the technique.
- Advanced Beginner (ADV BEG): for students with prior experience and a more comprehensive understanding of the technique and vocabulary.
- Intermediate/Advanced (INT/ADV): for students with extensive training and an expansive knowledge of the technique and its proper alignment.
- Open: for students of any level.
If you still aren't sure which class level is right for you, contact us at [email protected].
In general, we suggest you wear comfortable loose-fitting clothes that you can move in, such as sweats, yoga pants, leotard, t-shirts, tank tops, etc.
For Afro-Brazilian, Afro-Cuban, Capoeira, Dunham, Horton, Graham, Limón, and West African, we suggest you don't wear shoes or socks, just bare feet.
For Afro’Dance and Masala Bhangra, students are welcome to dance barefoot or wear clean sneakers—whatever you are most comfortable in.
For ballet, we suggest ballet shoes, leotards, and tights, or other form-fitting ballet attire.
For hip hop, hip hop cardio, house, and Zumba®, please wear clean street shoes.
For heels, we suggest wearing comfortable, low heels or boots if you do not own a pair of dance heels. You are also welcome to dance barefoot or in clean sneakers.
For jazz and Broadway dance, we suggest you wear jazz shoes or dance sneakers.
For Pilates and yoga, we suggest you don't wear shoes or socks, just bare feet. We recommend practicing on a non-slip yoga or Pilates mat—Ailey Extension does not provide students mats.
For salsa and NY-style mambo, we suggest wearing comfortable low heels, character shoes, or clean sneakers.
For vogue, students are welcome to dance barefoot, wear clean sneakers, or practice in comfortable heels.
For Tiny Steps classes, students and chaperones are encouraged to wear easy-to-move-in clothing and socks or bare feet.
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