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.

Program Overview

Our Summer High School Program is designed to resemble our BFA Dance curriculum to give high school students a glimpse of what college-level dance training could be like. Physical practice and teaching styles place an emphasis on contemporary dance training and individual artistry.  In addition to rigorous technical practice in contemporary and ballet, students create new dance compositions and engage 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.

Note: The Tisch Summer High School Program is not a leisure camp. While the average program runs daily, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., 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.

Previous
Next

Photo by Bi`Once Doyle

Group of dance students training in a rehearsal studio

Photo by Bi`Once Doyle

Dance students pose with extended arms and legs during a dance class in a rehearsal studio

Photo by Bi`Once Doyle

Dancers stand on one leg with arms extended during class in a dance studio

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: Yoga, 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. Please note: This is not a ballet-centered program and therefore we do not offer training in Pointe work. 

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

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 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.

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 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)

Free night

11 p.m. Curfew


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)

5 p.m. - 7 p.m. Dinner

7:30 p.m. Performance in NYC

11 p.m. Curfew

 

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)

Free night

11 p.m. Curfew

 

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)

5 p.m. - 7 p.m. Dinner

7:30 p.m. Performance in NYC

11 p.m. Curfew

 

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)

Free night

11 p.m. Curfew

Previous
Next

Photo by Bi'Once Doyle

Dance students hold a lunge pose during a studio dance class

Photo by Bi'Once Doyle

Dance students in mid-practice during a dance class

Photo by Bi'Once Doyle

Dance students in mid-practice during a dance class

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Program Dates

Summer 2025

Sunday, July 6 - Saturday, August 2, 2025

Additional important dates are available on the Tisch Admissions Calendar.

Tuition and Fees

Summer 2025

Total Estimated Program Cost: $14,603*

Breakdown of costs:

  • Tuition for 6 units (credits): $11,496

Additional Fees Include:

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

  • Housing for 4 weeks: $1,764

  • 10 meals* a week for 4 weeks: $796

*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: $347

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

The summer 2025 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.