Program Overview

Program Overview

The Tisch Summer High School Dance Program is designed to resemble the BFA Dance curriculum, providing high school students with a glimpse of what college-level dance training could be like. The program focuses on technical training, choreography, and performance within an environment that cultivates critical thought, creative process, and the highest standard of physical self-expression.

Program Details

• The program is a four-week intensive course that takes place from Sunday, July 5, 2026, to Saturday, August 1, 2026.
• Students participate in physical practice and teaching styles that emphasize contemporary dance training and individual artistry.
• The program includes rigorous technical practice in contemporary and ballet, as well as the creation of new dance compositions and engagement in artistic process through repertory from established New York City-based dance artists.
• The program culminates in a final studio showing for faculty, family, and friends.

Core Curriculum

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

• DANCE STUDIO PRACTICE (DANC-UT 1403) - 4 units
• CREATIVE RESEARCH IN DANCE (DANC-UT 1404) - 2 units

Dance Studio Practice

• This course is designed to develop a rigorous, creative physical practice in preparation for college-level, pre-professional dance training.
• The course consists of Technique, Yoga, Repertory, and various guest workshops.
• Course work focuses on learning to dance healthfully, emphasizing placement and alignment principles that lead to the most efficient use of the body.
• The comprehensive, organic approach to dance encourages students to develop versatility of style and an expressive individual voice.

Creative Research in Dance

• This course is designed to introduce students to college-level, pre-professional practice in dance theory and choreography.
• The course focuses on the development of new choreography through creative generation of movement phrases and an exploration of spatial and temporal aspects of dance composition.
• In-class explorations will range in collaborative nature, and students will be encouraged to expand awareness and connection to others through energetic and physical exchanges.

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, which include floor work
• Develop a unique voice for physical expression
• 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

Program Schedule

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

Sample Schedule

• Monday:
  • 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.: Ballet technique
  • 11:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.: Contemporary technique
  • 1:15 p.m. - 2 p.m.: Lunch
  • 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.: Creative Research (composition & solo/group rehearsal)
• Tuesday:
  • 9 a.m. - 9:55 a.m.: Pilates or Yoga
  • 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.: Ballet technique
  • 11:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.: Contemporary technique
  • 1:15 p.m. - 2 p.m.: Lunch
  • 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.: Repertory (guest choreographer rehearsal)
• Wednesday:
  • 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.: Ballet technique
  • 11:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.: Contemporary technique
  • 1:15 p.m. - 2 p.m.: Lunch
  • 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.: Creative Research (composition & solo/group rehearsal)
• Thursday:
  • 9 a.m. - 9:55 a.m.: Pilates or Yoga
  • 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.: Ballet technique
  • 11:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.: Contemporary technique
  • 1:15 p.m. - 2 p.m.: Lunch
  • 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.: Repertory (guest choreographer rehearsal)
• Friday:
  • 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.: Contemporary technique
  • 11:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.: Improvisation or Partnering
  • 1:15 p.m. - 2 p.m.: Lunch
  • 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.: Special Workshops (Dance and Technology, Physical Therapy, Movement Science)

Important Information

• Program Dates: Sunday, July 5, 2026 - Saturday, August 1, 2026
• Tuition and Fees:
  • Tuition for 6 units (credits): $12,012
  • Program Fee (activities facilitated by Residential Life & Housing): $200
  • Housing for 4 weeks: TBA
  • 10 meals a week for 4 weeks: $824
  • Dance Ticket Fee: $354
• Housing: Students accepted to the Tisch Summer High School program live in NYU housing. Per NYU policy, students must 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.

Admissions

• The summer 2026 application deadline is December 1, 2025.
• Open to high school sophomores and juniors.
• Online application fee: $75.