Technique
Afro-Haitian Dance
Instructors
Pricing
- In-Studio Single Class $25
- New Student 2-Class Package $38
Journey to the nanm (“soul” in Haitian Kreyol) of Afro-Haitian dance and become acquainted with the different Iwa (gods) in the Vodou religion through their dances, songs, rhythms, and rituals.
Students will explore the undulating movements of Yanvalu, the powerful precision of Nago, and the grace and beauty of the Kongo dance, all traditional Haitian dance forms with roots in West Africa and the South American Amazon.
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
RELATED TECHNIQUES
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-Haitian Dance, we suggest you don't wear shoes or socks, just bare feet.
Support Ailey
Every donation to AILEY, a non-profit organization, furthers the pioneering vision of our founder, Alvin Ailey, to deliver dance back to the people.