Dancewave launches second year of free and flexible tuition for pre-professional dance training

Dancewave launches second year of free and flexible tuition for pre-professional dance training

Dancewave is proud to announce the continuation of its free and flexible tuition program thanks to generous supporters and the Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation. 

Founded in 1995 by Diane Jacobowitz, Dancewave is the first dance training program in NYC to center positive youth development, social and emotional learning, mentorship and career development. In 2021, Dancewave launched a program to provide free and flexible tuition access for talented young artists to attend its applauded pre-professional dance training program. During this inaugural year, five youth were granted tuition-free access and dozens were awarded over $20,000 in partial scholarships.

“[Dancewave provides] me the opportunity to feel alive in my own skin and find comfort in expressing myself through movement and self-expression.” Juelz, Youth Company Member

Advancing NYC artists ages 7-18, the award-winning Dancewave Company program boasts a remarkable 96% growth rate in social and emotional learning outcomes among all participants. 100% of students have gone on to attend college porgrams, with many receiving generous scholarships. 

“[Dancewave] is a place where I could raise my voice. It makes me feel like a normal human, like I’m not alone.” -Sydney, Youth Company Member

Dancewave Company connects young artists with highly acclaimed contemporary choreographers, providing youth with focused performance training. Dancewave’s signature program curriculum utilizes restorative, trauma-informed practices and individual mentorship designed to empower young artists who may not otherwise have access to pre-professional dance training. It is only through the support of organizations like the Cornelia T. Bailey foundation, and donors, that this life-changing work is possible.

Dancewave Youth Programs prioritize Whole Person Development, Creative Self-Expression, Connecting to Larger Systems, and Individual + Collective Empowerment.

To amplify the sustainability of this equitable program model and reach even more NYC youth, consider making a donation at https://dancewave.org/support-dancewave/

To nominate a promising young dancer for the 2022-2023 cohort, please email Sindy Folgar-Llumipanta, Director of Programs & Partnerships, at sindy@dancewave.org. Students demonstrating financial need can apply to receive reduced or tuition-free access at https://dancewave.org/youth-programs/.