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New York Winter Festival

Celebrate Dance in the magical winter of New York City, nurture your Artistic Quality with the Superlative Teaching of our Artists in a weeklong Workshop, and take part in the final Performance building Cultural Collaboration.

Join us for Ajkun Ballet Theatre's Celebration of Dance!

The annual celebration of all dance styles of the Ajkun Ballet Theatre

Program Overview

The New York Winter Festival (NYWF) is a Weeklong Celebration of Dance held every year in appreciation of All Dance Styles and Genres offering a Dance Workshop and the opportunity to Perform in the heart of New York City. 

 

Dance Students, Performers, Choreographers and Dance Schools/Groups interested in receiving exposure in New York City, the Dance Capital of the World, are invited to participate.

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Participants may choose to partake in the workshop, performance, or both.

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The Festival is curated by the Ajkun Ballet Company's Dancers and sponsored by the Ajkun Ballet Theatre.

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Next session: 

January 6 -11, 2025
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Dance Training Workshop

Dance classes offered Monday through Friday:​

 

  • Ballet Technique (intermediate/advanced level)

  • Variations (coaching class)

  • Choreographic Laboratory (intermediate/advanced level)

 

Dance classes are taught by the Senior Artists of the Ajkun Ballet Theatre.

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Dance Performance

The dance show takes place on Saturday​

 

Dancers may enter as Solo Performers (Solo/Duet/Trio), as part of a Dance School/Company (four to ten dancers), and Choreographers may enter Solo or Ensemble works. Multiple entries are welcomed. Participants in the workshop also perform a group dance created during the Choreographic Laboratory class.

The dance performance is a ticketed event.

The Inspiration

Creative Art is paramount in Chiara Ajkun 's philosophy and artistic vision.

The Winter Festival came to life to bring to the New York audience the gift of Dance performed by Artists of all styles, genres and backgrounds.

No stranger in providing leadership opportunities, Chiara wanted the Dance Festival to be curated by the Company Dancers and made possible by the concerted sponsorship of the Ajkun Ballet Theatre and its Patrons. Since opening its doors in 2014, the Festival has attracted Dancers from Albania, Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Ecuador, France, Guatemala, Italy, Malaysia, New Zealand, South Africa, Turkey and the USA appealed by the Workshop and Dance Performance opportunities.

Ajkun Ballet Theatre's Dance Festival Curators: Billy Blanken (2014, 2015, 2016). Kylie Brown and Klevis Tafaj (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023).

Klevis Tafaj and Sofia Forero (2024, current).

  • Employment Opportunities
    Dancers seeking for employment typically embark in an expensive audition tour that often overlooks organizations not internationally renowned. Equally, Dance Companies may overlook some dancers in the short time of an audition. The Ajkun Ballet Theatre created a network to serve as a platform for dancers to broaden their exposure across the globe. Our organization is regarded by Dance Companies worldwide as a primary source to explore some the world's finest artists for employment openings. A list of companies who have employed AjkunBT Alumni & Artists is available online: Alumni
  • Worldwide Promotion
    Our Press & Communication Division promotes all Company Artists & Participants in our programs on a global scale. Dancers are referred by our Artistic Staff, based on several weeks of training and performance, and supported by the international reputation of our Artistic Director Chiara Ajkun. The network created by AjkunBT Arts Administrators, Artists, Alumni, Patrons and Partners along with our partnerships with many Dance Companies helps dancers to move effortlessly toward a professional career.
  • Stay Information
    The Ajkun Ballet Theatre is truly committed to make your stay with us an unforgettable one. The international environment of our Program, the expertise of our Staff and their welcoming warmth, the extraordinary venues that are home to our Company and the variety of scenarios that only New York has to offer, all contribute to creating life lasting experiences and memories. Participants may elect to commute into our program or reside in our accommodation. Please contact us for information if interested in accommodation.
  • Admission Process
    All our programs are limited enrollment. Participation is granted on a first-come, first-serve basis to successful audition applicants. Official application deadline is April 30th. Applications are accepted as early as three yers in advance of the intended year of participation. Early Registration is strongly recommended.
  • Qualification Process
    Candidates are admitted through an Audition in person or by video. Click to complete the Audition Form. Successful candidates will be provided with a complete informational package and guidance to join our Summer Intensive.
  • Program Cost, Tuition and Housing
    Tuition: Funding by federal, state, and local government and public contributions cover a portion of the cost, and individual merit and need-based scholarships, grants and outside awards (AKA extramural contributions) may make up for the difference. When you qualify for the program, we use a combination of resources to determine your contribution and communicate it to you with the audition outcome. Your contribution may be referred to as “tuition”. The tuition is payable in full at registration or in four installments. Housing is guaranteed if the deposit is paid at registration. Housing may be purchased at any time before June 30th, subject to availability and rate increase.
  • ​Scholarships and Financial Aid for Training, Housing and Airfare Costs
    Participants are selected for the summer program without regard to their finances. ​Public and private contributions keep the program tuition considerably lower than the program's actual cost. ​Merit and Need-Based Financial Aid may be awarded for the Training Program, Housing Cost and Airfare Travel. The AjkunBT Fund may award additional financial assistance based upon individual qualification, up to the annual budget for dancers, to cover additional costs.

*The Audition Outcome is emailed within the two weeks following the audition along with information on how to complete the registration

Any questions about our program? We welcome all inquiries by email.

For Dancer's Programs Voicemail call + 1 (347) 346-9951

More Dance Programs

The Ajkun Ballet Theatre offers a variety of programs in New York City and abroad and opportunities to earn a New York State Certificate in the Ajkun (C) Methodology.

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