Special Programs

Tisch Summer High School Dance Program

The Department of Dance at Tisch School of the Arts strives to prepare young artists for a life in dance.

Dance in New York City reflects our intense focus on technical training, choreography, and performance within an environment that cultivates critical thought, creative process, and the highest standard of physical self-expression.

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Program Overview

In addition to rigorous technical practice, students create new dance compositions and learn existing repertory from established New York City-based dance artists. We also provide opportunities to explore newer areas of dance research, including kinesiology and dance science, and the role of new technology in dance creation. Students share their own compositions with faculty in weekly showings; the program culminates in a final studio showing for faculty, family and friends.

Note: The Tisch Summer High School Program is not a leisure camp. While the average program runs daily, Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm, including academic classes, professional training, and/or studio and production time, students will often be just as busy in the evenings and weekends which also include curricular events and opportunities to work individually or collaborate with peers on assigned projects.

CORE CURRICULUM

Students take the following courses for a combined total of 6 units.

DANCE STUDIO PRACTICE

DANC-UT 1403 | 4 units

Dance Studio Practice is designed to develop a rigorous physical practice in the young dancer in preparation for college-level pre-professional dance training. This four-week course consists of three components: Dynamic Alignment and Conditioning, Ballet Technique, and Contemporary Technique. Course work focuses on learning to dance healthfully, emphasizing placement and alignment principles that lead to the most efficient use of the body. A comprehensive, organic approach to dance encourages students to develop versatility of style and an individual voice through physical practice.

Objectives

  • Strengthen concepts of efficient alignment while supporting a healthy dancing body

  • Clarify concepts of classical ballet technique as underlying foundations for technical expertise

  • Explore a variety of contemporary technical styles, including Cunningham, Limon, and Release techniques

  • Develop a unique voice for physical expression

CREATIVE RESEARCH IN DANCE

DANC-UT 1404 | 2 units

Creative Research in Dance is designed to introduce students to college-level pre-professional practice in choreography and performance. This four-week course consists of three components: Composition, Repertory, and a series of special workshops in Improvisation, Anatomy/Kinesiology, and Dance and New Media. Course work focuses on the development of new choreography through creative generation of movement phrases and an exploration of spatial and temporal aspects of dance composition. Students will create short choreographies to be shared weekly for constructive critical feedback. Throughout the Repertory component students will learn and refine professional-level dance works to be performed in the Final Studio Showing.

 Objectives

  • Introduce tools for generating novel movement compositions

  • Develop aspects of personal style in composition and performance

  • Explore the interpretation and performance of dance repertory

  • Investigate newer fields of dance research and integrate concepts from improvisation, kinesiology, and new media into dance practice

Dance Program Schedule

Sample Schedule for Summer High School Dance Program

Classes take place Monday to Friday, from about 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with attendance at dance performances in the evenings. Weekends include special workshops, rehearsals, and guest dance company lectures and demonstrations.

This sample schedule is based on previous summers to give prospective students an understanding of the highly structured and rigorous training offered in the Tisch Summer High School Dance Program. This sample schedule is an overview of one of the four weeks in the program. Students accepted and confirmed for the program will be given their actual schedule on orientation day.


Monday

10-11:30 a.m. Ballet technique

11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m. Contemporary technique

1:15-2:00 p.m. Lunch

2-5:00 p.m. Creative Research (composition & solo/group rehearsal)

Free night

11:00 p.m. Curfew

 

Tuesday

9-9:55 a.m. Pilates or Yoga

10-11:30 a.m. Ballet technique

11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m. Contemporary technique

1:15-2:00 p.m. Lunch

2-5:00 p.m. Repertory (guest choreographer rehearsal)

5-7:00 p.m. Dinner

7:30 p.m. Performance in NYC

11:00 p.m. Curfew

 

Wednesday

10-11:30 a.m. Ballet technique

11:45 a.m.-1:15pm Contemporary technique

1:15-2:00 p.m. Lunch

2-5:00 p.m. Creative Research (composition & solo/group rehearsal)

Free night

11:00 p.m. Curfew

 

Thursday

9-9:55 a.m. Pilates or Yoga

10-11:30 a.m. Ballet technique

11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m. Contemporary technique

1:15-2:00 p.m. Lunch

2-5:00 p.m. Repertory (guest choreographer rehearsal)

5-7:00 p.m. Dinner

7:30 p.m. Performance in NYC

11:00 p.m. Curfew

 

Friday

10-11:30 a.m. Contemporary technique

11:45 a.m.-1:15pm Improvisation or Partnering

1:15-2:00 p.m. Lunch

2-5:00 p.m. Special Workshops (Dance and Technology, Physical Therapy, Movement Science)

Free night

11:00 p.m. curfew

 

Saturday

10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Site-specific composition/improvisation workshop & rehearsals

1-2:00 p.m. Lunch

2-5:00 p.m. Guest company lecture/demonstration (Q&A to follow)

Free night

Midnight Curfew

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Photo by Dylan Kenseth

Group of dancers in mid-training in a dance studio

Photo by Dylan Kenseth

Group of dancers in mid-training in a dance studio

Photo by Dylan Kenseth

Group of dancers in mid-training in a dance studio

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Program Dates

Summer 2024

Sunday, July 7 - Saturday, August 3, 2024

Additional important dates are available on the Tisch Admissions Calendar.

Tuition and Fees

Summer 2024

Total Estimated Program Cost: $14,076

Breakdown of costs:

  • Tuition for 6 units (credits): $11,064

Additional Fees Include:

  • Program Fee (activities facilitated by Residential Life & Housing): $200

  • Housing for 4 weeks: $1,704

  • 10 meals* a week for 4 weeks: $768

*As this is a residential program, students are automatically enrolled in the 10 meals a week plan for the length of the program. Students have the option of increasing their meal plan if they wish.

Program Specific Fees:

  • Dance Ticket Fee: $340

Please review the Tisch Special Programs cancellation policy.

Housing

Students accepted to the Tisch Summer High School program live in NYU housing. Per NYU policy, students must to be at least 15 to reside in housing for this program. 

Scholarships

Tisch has a limited number of scholarships for high school students to attend the Tisch summer programs. Scholarships are given to students who demonstrate the most financial need.

Review the Tisch Summer High School Scholarships page for more information.

Admissions

Summer 2024

The summer 2024 application is closed.

Open to high school sophomores and juniors.

  • Online application fee: $75

Please read through the Summer High School Application Requirements page before starting your application.