Who can attend the Winter Intensive?

Any Intermediate/Advanced level students over the age of 18 can attend. Students are accepted on a first come, first serve basis when their application is received at the ADF school office with a $200 tuition deposit. Once we have reached capacity, applicants will be placed on a wait-list and will be admitted if a current student drops out. If enough students are placed on the wait-list, a second or third group will be opened in the program.

What types of classes are offered at the Winter Intensive?

Classes will be offered in modern technique, repertory, composition, and improvisation.  Special activities scheduled for the evenings after classes end may include injury prevention workshops, student showings, open rehearsals, voice and gesture, discussions with working choreographers, or dance performances.

What is the daily schedule like?

The daily schedule consists of two morning classes, a lunch break, and an afternoon class.  Special activities are scheduled for some afternoons and evenings. A sample schedule will be available in the fall. 

Do you provide financial aid, scholarships, or work study opportunities?

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide any type of financial assistance for the Winter Intensive.  However, many colleges and universities offer funding for special activities during the winter break.

Do you provide housing?

We do not provide housing for the Winter Intensive, but we have prepared a list of hostels and hotels near the Ailey Studios, where classes will be held.  The ADF does not guarantee the accuracy of the listings or the desirability of the establishments and takes no responsibility for any arrangements made or promised.  If you are interested in being in contact with other students who will be staying at hotels, please contact Nicolle Greenhood at (919) 684-6402 or school@americandancefestival.org. Many students also use the ADF School Facebook page to connect with other participants attending the Winter Intensive.

Will there be opportunities to show my own work?

There may be a student showing scheduled during the Intensive.  This would be an extremely informal occasion for you to show your work and receive feedback from faculty and other students.

I would like to see as many dance performances as I possibly can while I’m in New York.  What should I do?

We will offer tickets for a few performances during the Winter Intensive. There are many other performances taking place in New York during this time as well.  More information will be sent to you after your application has been accepted.

I would like to take class at other studios while I’m in New York.  What should I do?

There are many dance studios in New York offering a huge range of dance classes.  The ADF will provide a list of studios available to you in New York City once you are registered.

Do I need to bring any special shoes or equipment with me?

A journal is recommended for composition classes and discussions. We would also like to encourage all students to bring warm dance clothes.

What will the weather be like in NYC in December/January?

It will be COLD! The northeast often experiences severe winter weather in December and January. Please be aware that in instances of extreme weather (snowstorms, etc) classes may be cancelled or rescheduled. When making your travel arrangements, it is recommended that you allow extra time to arrive in NYC in case there are delays due to weather. Please bring warm clothes, waterproof shoes, umbrellas, etc, as you may have to walk outside quite a bit when taking public transportation.

How much money should I expect to spend in NYC?

New York City tends to be an expensive city and it is very possible to spend a lot of money while visiting. However, many students find creative ways to cut costs and it is also very possible to stay in NYC on a tight budget! How much you spend per day can vary GREATLY and depends a lot on your personal tastes, lifestyle, etc. Here is a basic breakdown of what you might expect to spend per day in NYC:

Accommodations: You can expect to spend as little as $20 – $30 per day in a very inexpensive hostel, to $80 -$150 per day for a sublet, and $150 or more on a hotel. We highly recommend staying with roommates, as that will cut down on costs a lot. In the fall we will provide a list of suggested housing.

Food: We would recommend finding lodging with a kitchen, as preparing food at home will greatly cut down on costs. If you are eating out for all of  your meals, you can expect to spend approximately $5 – $10 on breakfast, $10 – $15 on lunch, and $15 + on dinner.

Getting around: The NYC public transit system is great and we highly recommend using it, for ease of getting around the city, and also cost effectiveness. (And really, there is no better way to learn a city than taking public transportation!).

A single ride metrocard is $2.25

• A 7 day unlimited metrocard is $29
• A 30 day unlimited metrocard is $104 
• The NYC MTA website is very useful: www.mta.info
• Cabs are quite expensive, even a short ride could cost $10. More information on cab costs, including flat fares to and from the NYC airports, can be found at http://www.nyc.gov/html/tlc/html/passenger/taxicab_rate.shtml

Attractions, nightlife, etc: These costs can vary depending on what you plan to do! We recommend setting aside at least $20 per day if you plan to immerse yourself in tourist attractions, nightlife, etc.