The New York Dance Festival is celebrating 35 years! Be a part of this very special two week experience which includes daily master classes in Modern, Ballet, Hip Hop, McLeod Technique, MT Afro Hip Hop, MT Reinforced Motor Function, McLeod Technique for Pointe, African, and more, a world-class concert series, and the Harriet Tubman Freedom Music Festival. Professional to novice, we are one of the only non-audition national programs of our caliber. Because we do not require auditions, no person is excluded or put through the emotional trials of an audition selection process, and families are welcome.
The Festival runs Monday – Friday with Master Classes from 10:00am – 4:30pm daily, for full day tuition participants and some additional special options for Choreography and evening Master Classes as well. The final Friday evening at 8:00 PM is the culminating concert the “A Day in Dance” Showcase Concert, where all full-day participants perform!
In Person Track:
School of American Ballet, New York City
70 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023
Virtual Track:
Online via Zoom
***COVID Policy: Masks are optional. ***
Established & New
Repertory
New York Dance Festival Choreographic Fellowship
Teacher
Certification
Black Created
Techniques in Dance
McLeod Technique
Modern
MT Reinforced
Motor Function
MT Afro Hip Hop &
MT Groove
Reinforced Motor Function for Ballet Application
Concerts & Special Events
We are excited for our Online in In Person World Class Concert Series! In the evenings and weekend, the New York Dance Festival we will present Virtual concerts through live streaming. Stay tuned for more updates including people, dates, times, and online or in person details. The concert & event series will include:
• In Her Words: A Panel Discussion on Innovative Leadership from the Arts
• International Stage Concert ONLINE
• Black Ballerina Summit
• 35 Year McLeod Technique Talk Around
• The 35th “A Day in Dance” Concert!
and more!
Follow our IG at @newyorkdancefestival and check out the ATTEND page to find out more and grab your tickets!
Check back often for updates and notices
Festival Tracks
| Full 2 Week Registration | $1900/per person |
| 1 Week or Half Day Registration | $1500/per person |
| New York Dance Festival Choreographic Residency – Full Day Track (10:00 AM – 5:30 PM) | $2400/per person |
| New York Dance Festival Choreographic Residency – Evening Day Track (4:30 – 5:30 PM) | $800/per person |
| Teacher Certification (McLeod Technique Modern, MT Reinforced Motor Function, or MT Reinforced Motor Function for Pointe) | $2400/per person/per certification |
| 2 Day Special | $400/per person |
| Individual Master Class | $75/per person/per class |
| New York Dance Festival Applied Study Fellowship (Limited slots – invitation required) | $4850/per person |
We welcome all ages and abilities at the New York Dance Festival. Please keep in mind, if a minor is joining us, an adult must be responsible for them at all times. NYDF is not responsible for housing, transportation, or meals. Guardians are welcome to stay and watch for the day, or leave and come back, however they must be present with the minor/party of minors during the lunch hour as the Festival faculty depart the facilities during this time.
Fill out the Registration Form here:
There are partial scholarship opportunities available. Please fill out the scholarship form for the scholarship committee to review. All payments are due by the start of the Festival.
New York Dance Festival FAQ's
For the dance day please wear all black dance clothing (leotard, tights, leggings, or unitard) and have your hair pulled back out of your face. Men, please have a dance belt. Bring all dance shoes and thick socks, preferably gray or black. Also, it would be helpful to have a small notebook, a hand towel, a water bottle, and an infectiously positive attitude!
McLeod Technique
McLeod Technique (MT) is an emotional based, codified technique that teaches contemporary dance to classical ballet and urban dancers. McLeod Technique Modern ® teaches emotional development and blends classical ballet, the modern dance foundations of Limón, Graham, and Horton, martial arts, African dance, Latin influences and urban social dance. Learn more!
We welcome all ages and abilities at the New York Dance Festival. Please keep in mind, if a minor is joining us, an adult must be responsible for them at all times. NYDF is not responsible for housing, transportation, or meals. Guardians are welcome to stay and watch for the day, or leave and come back, however they must be present with the minor/party of minors during the lunch hour as the Festival faculty depart the facilities during this time.
General tuition includes the daily master classes from 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM. It also includes tickets to select performances in the World Class Concert Series and participation in the “A Day in Dance” Concert Showing. Certification, Choreographic Residencies, and Applied Study are separate tracks and require separate registration & tuition.
Not Included
• Housing
• The Black Ballerina Summit
• The Carmen DeLavallade Awards for Dance: Honors Presentation
• Specialized McLeod Technique Coaching Sessions
• Meals
General Daily Schedule
***Online participants will be able to join via zoom 15 minutes before the day starts.
There may be some fluctuation day to day, but this is the general format that will be followed. The final Friday, the schedule does vary as the final prep and rehearsals for the “A Day in Dance” Concert Showing will be throughout the day.
| 10:00-10:30 AM EST | MT Morning Motivation |
| 10:30 – 11:45 AM EST | Master Class 1: Reinforced Motor Function for Ballet Application |
| 11:45 – 1:00 PM EST | Master Class 2: McLeod Technique Modern/Contemporary |
| 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM EST | Lunch |
| 2:30 – 3:30 PM EST | MWF Specialty Master Classes (MT Afro Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Musical Theater, and more) / Tu & Th Black Techniques in Dance – Learn Black Techniques in Dance |
| 3:30-4:30 PM EST | Special Repertory class – Learn a Choreographic Work for the 35th “A Day In Dance” Concert Showing. All Full Day Participants will perform in the concert on the evening of the Final Friday of the Festival. (Day ends here for General tuition) |
| 4:30-5:30 PM EST | New York Dance Festival Choreographic Fellowships are integrated throughout the festival day. These hours are dedicated to daily clinical and application creation for Choreographic Fellows & Residents. ***This is not part of the general tuition, it is a special track*** |
*** There will be additional special options for Choreography and evening MT Sessions as well.
Enhanced Training and Coaching Sessions:
MT Sessions (Coaching) with our incredible faculty are also possible, starting now! Get yourself ready to get the most out of your Festival experience with one-on-one, personalized training. Due to the incredible demand, waiting lists are kept for faculty members with full schedules, but you never know if a slot is available so always ask.
MT Sessions (Coaching) available with any faculty member include:
*McLeod Technique Modern (contemporary)
*Reinforced Motor Function
*RMF for Ballet Application
*RMF for Pointe
*Choreographic Repertory Sessions
*Injury Rehabilitation, Strength & Alignment
*CMA Computerized Motor Analysis with Karen Brown
*Email or internally message on social media for the MT Sessions Fees. **First come first serve, slots go very quickly.
