Ailey Extension celebrates Women’s History Month with lady-led workshops

This March, Ailey Extension invites all to celebrate Women’s History Month by joining in the fun during workshops taught by leading ladies of the dance world.

“Each workshop makes room for guests of all ages, genders, backgrounds, and experience levels to honor the impact of women in dance and embrace their own feminine energy while exploring a variety of exciting techniques,” said Ailey Extension in a statement on Monday.

It said that, throughout the month, dancers will have several chances “to get moving and grooving with renowned women artists in a non-competitive environment at the Joan Weill Center for Dance – NYC’s largest building dedicated to dance.”

All were encouraged to celebrate International Women’s Day on Wed., Mar. 8 by tapping into their femininity during a Heels Workshop with Marie Rose Baramo. Baramo – a commercial dancer whose worked with top acts such as Camila Cabello, Future, Lil Nas X, and more – helped In-studio and online participants uncover the secrets to strutting their stuff with confidence while also learning the basic techniques of dancing in heels.

Marie Rose Baramo ‘Heels.’ Photo by Theik Smith Photography

Ailey Extension said two celebrations collide on Saturday, March 11, 2:00 p.m., when the 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop meets Women’s History Month for a full afternoon of in-studio workshops highlighting women’s contributions to the culture.

Fueled by live DJing from DJ Mari Ella, the Hip-Hop Workshop Series with Ladies of Hip-Hop will feature three distinct female-powered sessions illuminating the strength, power, and diversity of women in street styles.

First dancers will get a crash course in hip-hop dance and culture learning the technique’s foundational moves, party steps, musicality, and grooves during Open Hip-Hop with Tomoe “Beasty” Carr, Ailey Extension said.

At 3:00 p.m., it said Imani Arrington will introduce dancers to the fundamentals of Lite Feet, a high-energy Harlem-born style that emphasizes weightless footwork.

The last workshop, at 4:00 p.m., will take guests through the five elements of vogue – cat walks, hands performance, duck walks, floor performance, and spins and dips – as they learn Beginner Vogue Femme with Alora Tonielle of HBO Max’s voguing reality competition show Legendary.

Just days before Ailey II kicks off its two-week engagement at the Ailey Citigroup Theater (Mar. 22 – April 2), fans can learn to tap into their own creativity with Ailey II’s Artistic Director during a Masterclass with Francesca Harper on Sat., March 18 at 3:00 p.m.

Francesca Harper.

During this rare in-studio contemporary ballet workshop Harper will introduce dancers of all experience levels to the Forsythe improvisation technique as they move to music from artists like Prince, Sampha, James Blake, Solange, and more.

“Dancers will leave with new tools to implement into their artistic process,” Alvin Ailey Extension said.

In addition to these timely workshops, Ailey Extension is adding three new female-led weekly classes to help students keep moving with elite New York City instructors.

On Mondays, at 7:00 p.m., learn the latest African street dance moves during Afro’Dance with performer and choreographer Judith McCarty.

Alvin Ailey Extension said novice dancers can practice foundational hip-hop steps in an Absolute Beginner Hip-Hop class with hip-hop dance pioneer Robin Dunn on Thursdays at 6:30 p.m.

It said more experienced movers can build on their skills learning challenging combinations from celebrity dancer TweetBoogie during an Advanced Beginner Hip-Hop on Sundays at 3:00 p.m.

With more than 50 weekly classes and special workshops available, Ailey Extension said it allows students all over the world to explore different dance styles seven days a week.

For more details about Ailey Extension’s variety of in-person and virtual class options –