Ailey Teacher Certification Program: Ailey Horton Technique

Dance teachers now have the opportunity to achieve a credential in the Ailey Horton Technique that will confirm the depth and breadth of their skills, experience, and versatility, while demonstrating their deep commitment to students and dedication to excellence. 

Supported by clear standards of achievement and specific professional development criteria, the new Ailey Teacher Certification Program: Ailey Horton Technique plays an important role in furthering the history, philosophy, creativity, vision, and artistry of Lester Horton and Alvin Ailey. The program offers educators world-class training in the Ailey Horton Technique, including a comprehensive and authentic understanding of its pedagogy, methodology, progressions, and instruction.

Basic Requirements

• Written application 
• Video recording of yourself that indicates your background in dance training or dance instruction
• Non-refundable application fee 
• An interview may be requested

Other factors taken into consideration

• Experience in dance performance 
• Experience in dance teaching 
• Experience in dance history 
• Leadership in dance education, especially related to teaching and/or performing the Horton technique

The Ailey School is renowned as one of the best dance schools in the world. Instructors in the Ailey Teacher Certification Program: Ailey Horton Technique offer dance teachers the highest level of authentic training in the Ailey Horton Technique—a technique designed to support all types of dancers in a style of movement that is dynamic, exciting, relevant, and versatile. Teachers looking to offer the very best to their students, advance their careers, and achieve the highest level of expertise in the Ailey Horton Technique will benefit greatly from this valuable credential.

• College/University Dance Teachers 
• Dance Studio Teachers and Owners 
• High School Dance Teachers  
• Performing Arts School Teachers 
• Dance Company Teachers

• The Ailey Horton Technique provides a powerful foundation to enhance dancers’ understanding of movement, dynamic range, and physical awareness, and is supportive of multiple styles of dance.  
• The Ailey Horton Technique was specifically and intentionally developed to build strength and correct weaknesses in all types of dancers. 
• Through the Ailey Horton Technique, every muscle of the body is strengthened, every section of the body is given specific focus, and all spatial planes and movement levels are emphasized. 
• With links to multiple techniques and contemporary styles, the Ailey Horton Technique helps dancers become stronger and more confident in virtually any style of dance they will undertake—from ballet to Broadway and everything in between. 
• Ailey dancers attest that the training they received in the Ailey Horton Technique has given them new confidence and an awareness of themselves as dancers who excel with artistic integrity and elevated awareness of movement, musicality, and storytelling.  
• Established as a world-class teacher certification program, the Ailey Teacher Certification: Ailey Horton Technique confirms that a teacher has received the highest level of authentic training.

2027-28 Tuition, Fees, & Payment Options

A $65.00 application fee* is due upon application. 

_{Information about payment deadlines, deposits, and installment plans are forthcoming.}

*Application fee and Registration fee are non-refundable and non-transferrable.

• Level 1 takes place over 32 weeks with a total of 200+ hours of instruction. 
• The first week of instruction is in-person at The Joan Weill Center for Dance in New York City. 
• Subsequent classes take place virtually, requiring 6 to 8 hours per week (both synchronous and asynchronous). 
• Enrollees will be expected to: 
  • Check ATC/AHT (Teachable and ailey.org/atcp) email and discussion posts multiple times per week. 
  • Respond to dialogues with instructors and classmates within 48 hours or sooner. 

Ailey Teacher Certification Program: Ailey Horton Technique, Level 1 
2027-28 Academic Calendar

Level 1A

Level 1B & 1C

_{*A schedule with detailed dates is forthcoming.}

Requirements for Certification

All three modules, A, B, and C, are required for enrollment in Level 1 certification. Level 1 certification prepares participants to teach students who are beginners in the Ailey Horton Technique.

While the remote learning weeks offer a great deal of flexibility to fit individual schedules and mesh with life and work commitments, all participants move through the curriculum at the same pace. Frequent opportunities for discussion and collaboration build community and promote a supportive learning environment to help ensure success for all students, while also fostering lifelong professional and artistic connections.

The course begins with an intensive 5-day in-person workshop. Taught by curriculum authors Tracy Inman and Lakey Evans-Peña, workshop classes take place from 9am to 6pm daily at The Joan Weill Center for Dance in New York City. To ensure participants receive focused personal attention, enrollment in each class is capped at 25 students. 

Following the in-person week of instruction, teaching and learning will continue virtually across three modules:  

• Section A – 12 weeks (including the in-person week) 
• Section B – 10 weeks 
• Section C – 10 weeks 

The instructional experience across Level 1 will include: 

• Comprehensive instruction in the methodology and foundational components of the Ailey Horton Technique (AHT) 
• Access to the extensive Level 1 AHT video library with step-by-step instructional videos 
• Immersive instruction in Lester Horton’s methodology, class structure, progressions, and modifications/accommodations, lesson planning, rubrics, and assessments 
• Hands-on activities, partner and group work, lectures from expert AHT teachers  
• Coursework includes multiple modalities: viewing, reading, and listening 
• Participants will be asked to complete written assignments, participate in online discussion boards along with virtual and live class discussion, and submit Level 1 teaching video recordings, and will receive formative and summative instructional feedback 

Faculty/participant meetings will take place across all 32 weeks of Level 1, and a full-course reflective analysis will take place annually. Inman and Evans-Peña will serve as advisors to the students throughout Level 1, Sections A, B, and C. Meetings with the enrollees will take place during standardized office hours that are synchronistic as well as asynchronistic. Additional one-on-one time will be made available upon request.

Level 1 Course Objectives  

• Learn movement from a seasoned instructor in the Ailey Horton Technique  
• Explore and understand the foundational warm-up components of the Ailey Horton Technique  
• Reflect on personal connections to Mr. Ailey and his body of work    

Throughout Level 1, Anatomy and Kinesthetic terminology will be addressed through glossary and illustrations provided by Anatomy teaching faculty in The Ailey School. Further, expert core musicians from the Ailey Teaching Artist roster collaborate with Ailey Horton Faculty to bring discipline, structure, counts, and musicality to bear across the full curriculum. 

At the conclusion of Level 1, enrollees will be prepared to teach—or to enhance teaching of—the Ailey Horton Technique, Level 1, in colleges, private studios, conservatories, company schools, and community settings through the historical legacy, creative philosophy, and artistic vision of Lester Horton and Alvin Ailey. Supporting teachers in this way, this singular technique will inform and enliven evolving forms of dance for generations to come.  

Enrollees will be required to have access to the internet, a personal laptop/tablet and a smart phone. The laptop/tablet must have a camera and microphone, and participants must be able to film themselves, create audio files, and upload this work as part of their coursework. Technical support for the course platforms will be provided through Ailey School personnel.