Newark’s Alvin Ailey Summer Camp Helps Young People Build Confidence, Discipline, and Leadership Through Dance

For more than a decade, the Alvin Ailey summer camp in Newark has been giving young people far more than dance lessons. The nationally recognised programme is helping students discover confidence, develop leadership skills, strengthen discipline, and find their own voices through movement, teamwork, and personal growth.

As another summer session moves toward its final performance, students between the ages of 11 and 14 are spending their days learning ballet, modern dance, jazz, West African dance, percussion, and communication skills. While every class focuses on improving technique, instructors say the bigger goal is preparing young people to succeed both on and off the stage.

During rehearsals, national AileyCamp director Nasha Thomas reminded campers that success is often built through small daily habits. She encouraged students to stay prepared before the music begins, practise without depending on visual cues, organise themselves carefully, and pay attention to every detail. These simple corrections reflected one of the camp’s central messages: consistent effort creates lasting excellence.

The atmosphere inside the rehearsal studios is energetic but disciplined. Students are encouraged to ask questions, express themselves, and step outside their comfort zones. Rather than simply memorising choreography, campers are challenged to understand how confidence, creativity, and self-expression work together.

One memorable classroom discussion highlighted that lesson. Students were asked which style of dance they enjoyed most. Some named hip hop because of its upbeat energy, while others preferred jazz for the freedom it offers. As instructors continued asking deeper questions, students began realising that dance allows them to communicate their personalities in ways words sometimes cannot.

That focus on self-expression has always been central to the Alvin Ailey philosophy.

The educational programme was established by legendary choreographer Alvin Ailey as an extension of his internationally respected dance company. Since its launch in 1989, AileyCamp has expanded into communities across the United States with a mission of helping young people grow mentally, physically, emotionally, and socially through the performing arts.

Newark became part of that mission in 2011. This summer marks the programme’s 15th year in the city, continuing a tradition that has introduced hundreds of local students to opportunities they may never have imagined.

Admission into AileyCamp is competitive, but participation is completely free for selected students. Young people apply through an application process based on age and grade eligibility, and previous dance experience is not required. Once accepted, campers receive transportation, meals, and professional instruction throughout the six-week programme, making it accessible to families regardless of financial circumstances.

Each day combines physical training with personal development activities. Alongside dance classes, students participate in creative communication exercises, conflict-resolution discussions, leadership development, and daily affirmations designed to encourage resilience and positive thinking.

One affirmation repeated throughout the programme reminds campers not to let the word “can’t” define what they are capable of achieving. Instructors believe that changing a student’s mindset can be just as important as teaching dance technique.

This year’s Newark programme includes more than 100 participants and represents the camp’s largest enrolment since the COVID-19 pandemic affected youth programmes nationwide. The group reflects a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and future ambitions.

Many returning campers say the programme has changed how they view themselves.

Fourteen-year-old Dominique Roberson explained that she no longer fears making mistakes because the camp has taught her that growth comes from learning through challenges rather than avoiding them. Instead of worrying about being perfect, she now focuses on improving every day.

Returning participant Aria Gonzalez-Potts also credits dance with increasing her confidence. She hopes to pursue a career as a physical therapy assistant and already recognises how understanding body movement through dance connects with healthcare. Beyond developing her own skills, she now helps newer campers adjust to the programme and build confidence during their first weeks.

For younger students like Joy Saintflorant, AileyCamp quickly became a welcoming community. Although she arrived without knowing anyone, she found supportive classmates who encouraged teamwork and friendship from the very beginning. Group activities helped students build trust while learning to collaborate creatively.

The experience has been especially meaningful for campers like Darren “DJ” Jacob Edmonds. As one of the few boys participating in dance, he initially struggled with teasing from others. Instead of giving up, he continued pursuing his passion for dance and has become more confident through the encouragement he receives at camp.

These personal stories illustrate how the programme extends beyond artistic training. Students leave with stronger communication skills, greater emotional resilience, and a belief that their voices matter.

Leading the Newark programme is Ronnie D. Carney, a Newark native who oversees both the artistic direction and daily operations of AileyCamp. His responsibilities include mentoring instructors, coordinating schedules, reviewing lesson plans, and ensuring every aspect of the curriculum reflects Alvin Ailey’s educational values.

Carney believes dance helps young people develop communication skills long before they become confident public speakers. By encouraging creativity and exploration, he says students begin recognising possibilities they may not have considered before entering the programme.

His work also continues after the summer session ends. Throughout the year, he remains involved in alumni programmes, family outreach, student recruitment, and community engagement, helping participants continue growing long after camp concludes.

Music education is another important part of the experience.

Percussion instructor LaToya Wigfall introduces students to West African drumming while teaching the historical journey of African cultural traditions across the global diaspora. Her classes combine musical instruction with cultural education, allowing students to better understand the origins and influence of the rhythms they perform.

Rather than focusing only on performance, Wigfall encourages campers to appreciate both sound and silence, teaching them how rhythm creates conversation and connection between people.

Throughout the camp, students are reminded that learning also happens through mentorship. Morning discussions regularly focus on how classmates can inspire one another, how mentors guide future leaders, and how today’s students can eventually return to help younger generations.

That message is visible throughout Arts High School, where educational displays celebrate the history of ballet, jazz, modern dance, and West African traditions. The exhibits highlight influential artists while showing students that they belong within these rich artistic legacies.

A central theme throughout the programme is represented by the acronym TIME, which stands for Teach, Inspire, Mentor, and Elevate. The concept reflects the camp’s long-term vision of preparing young people not only to achieve personal success but also to help others succeed in the future.

Many former campers have already embraced that responsibility by returning as volunteers, mentors, and instructors.

One of the programme’s most notable success stories is Christopher Taylor. After attending AileyCamp for three consecutive summers, he earned admission to The Ailey School and eventually became a principal dancer with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre.

Taylor has often spoken about how the programme expanded his understanding of what was possible. Seeing successful dancers who looked like him helped transform dance from simply an activity into a meaningful career path.

His journey continues to inspire current campers, proving that opportunities created through the programme can extend far beyond a single summer.

As the Newark session approaches its final performance at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, students are preparing to showcase weeks of hard work before family members and the community.

For many participants, however, the biggest achievement will not be the performance itself. The confidence they have gained, the friendships they have built, the leadership skills they have developed, and the belief that they can overcome challenges are lessons expected to remain with them long after the final applause.

By combining professional dance instruction with mentorship, cultural education, and personal development, Newark’s Alvin Ailey summer camp continues to shape young lives, demonstrating that the arts can serve as a powerful foundation for leadership, resilience, and lifelong success.

Sources

• Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
• Ailey Arts In Education & Community Programs
• New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC)
• NJ.com (original reporting)