The Ailey Studios — Attraction in New York

March update: never heard any feedback from Ailey despite my many attempt to reach out (social networks, front desk…) and them telling me my request is in good hand. on March 9th, a student threw up during the class, because it was overcrowded and no control on temperature in the room. A room in the basement with no windows doesn't help. for some reason, when another teacher is subbing, we end up on the ground floor, in a classroom with windows. It doesn't seem very fair.

I have been following Voguing class for a while at Ailey Extension. Before attending classes regularly here, I have been trying other classes around town. It happened to me that Cesar, the teacher, was doing an amazing job at not only teaching how to Vogue, but also at being INCLUSIVE, which means showing strong teaching skills. You can be good at something, but it doesn’t mean you will be good at teaching it… well, Cesar’s classes at Ailey Extension combine both of these skills. This reflects a lot in the crowd following the class: it is super diverse, in background, age, gender… and this is exactly, as a foreigner like me, but resident here now, what NYC is about: diversity. Cesar Valentino not only brings Voguing and teaching to a high level, but also brings the true essence of NYC, and this is everything. The great thing about Voguing here is to learn about walking a runway, but also empowerment through femininity! No matter your gender, everyone wear heels here, and everyone gets super excited about it! It’s not only a performing class, it’s also a lot about exploring yourself and gain self-confidence through femininity. Every time friends of mine are visiting, I bring them to this class, and their enthusiasm when leaving it means a lot, and it works every time thanks to Cesar and his skills.

But why such a bad rating you might ask.. well, the thing is that it feels like Ailey extension doesn’t support what happens here: 1/ Vogue class used to happen in upper level rooms when I started in spring, but now we are in a basement every time, in a room that is way too small and runway gets difficult because of overcrowded room. It feels like Ailey Extension feels shame about showing men wearing heels to the public, when other classes with heels are being put under the light. Historically, the Vogue community has always been struggling and considered underground. Nowadays, vogue communities and scenes are popping everywhere in the world, not to mention TV shows like My House or Pose, but Ailey Extension seems like not really understanding the potential of this, and keep « us » in a basement. It just feels wrong. 2/ There is only one class a week here, where in every other dance facility, vogue classes happen 3 to 4 times a week. This is very frustrating when you enjoy such a class to only have it once a week… again, why??

At the end, it feels like Ailey Extension doesn’t fully support Voguing, and it hurts to feel not supported, specially when as a participant to this class, you can feel such a high energy every time. Maybe I missed something, or maybe Ailey Extension is a bit blind.

So, this message feels a bit like an open letter: Dear Ailey Extension, would you make a statement in supporting this class, open new sessions and help build a community here!! Until then, I have decided to not fully support Ailey Extension as long as they are not ready to make a change and be more rewarding to what happens here, until further notice.

I hope you will hear this message, because I’m living for Saturdays thanks to Cesar and his Voguing class, but the bitter taste I get from the lack of support from A.E. needs to be solved.

Will 2019 be the year for Vogue to shine at Ailey...

I have always been there whenever Kat Wildish teaches. She is the most kind, genuine, and sweetest teachers - she has nothing but love for her students.

After witnessing the Sep 2014 incident where an unruly and aggressive parent attacked her after pointe class, Ailey suspended her without pay. I believe that suspending Kat Wildish and requiring her to attend anger management classes was the wrong response. Witnesses from both the pointe class and the attack as well as hundreds of Kats students wrote letters and organized a petition (450+ people signed within 2 weeks) to ask Ailey management & board members for justice. Ailey's response was "She will be back on November 1st". At the end of October, Ailey terminated her. Due to Kat's students (Ailey’s clients / good people), Ailey was overwhelmed with our support of their mistake.

I must use the word "Hate" with the Ailey Extension Management. I have never seen such injustice done to an employee or even a human being. A single incident with a student should not dictate her abilities as a master ballet teacher. Kat brings her expertise and 40 years of experience as a master teacher everywhere she teaches and Ailey Studio should be honored to have someone like her on their faculty. She is passionate about her teaching and we can all learn so much from her.

It was rough for a few months. We simply needed a good ballet class to train as dancers. I cannot believe Ailey Extension as an educational institute, a signature of the dance world, created such painful drama for its employees and clients. The scar will never go away... We all gladly moved on with Kat. We are now following her all over the city with studios that appreciate her effort. Thanks to Ballet Arts, Peridance and Gibney. And of course the amazing Kat. Happy dancing & stay...

So disappointed. Been here many times for auditions in the past and several open classes. The facilities are gorgeous and the teachers I had taken class with were wonderful - but the cost of class and their protocols for open community class passes are ridiculous. Besides the immense difficulty to get assistance on the phone (they refuse to help you before 5pm even tho the open classes are happening all throughout the day), it’s not a place for you if you don’t have deep pockets. *With a $6 million net income (public record as it’s a non profit and $49.3mil. In revenue) it is quite honestly extremely sad and disheartening that they don’t have any interest in offering assistance to professional dancers of low income. As a company that should be a pioneer for paving the way for dance opportunities and facilitating dance accessibility to all- they seem to have absolutely no interest in actually practicing this. Will never return here again for an open class unfortunately due to the immense difficulty I had with the desk staff and unhelpful service I experienced that makes me feel unwelcome and hypocritical to my stance for dancer inclusivity.

SEE MISSION STATEMENT HERE:

The mission of Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation is to further the pioneering vision of the choreographer, dancer, and cultural leader Alvin Ailey by building an extended cultural community which provides dance performances, training and education, and community programs for all people. This performing arts community plays a crucial social role, using the beauty and humanity of the African-American heritage and other cultures to unite people of all races, ages and backgrounds.

Cont…

On stage and off, we seek to bring together an inclusive community with no...