

Continuing our commitment to our core values of Access, Artistic Excellence, Community, and Creativity, we are excited to return to the hustle and bustle of the academic year with the year-round, culturally responsive, non-gendered dance and music programming we are known for, offered to students of all ages with and without disabilities.
As we progress through the school year, I know you will be glad to return to the programs you and your children love, while also having the chance to try out something new! This year, we are thrilled to announce the start of our Family Guild to facilitate further involvement from our community in all that makes The School run smoothly.
We cannot do this work without you. You can learn more about supporting our work and how to contribute at mmdg.org/support.
We thank you for trusting us with your child’s dance education and are grateful for all that each of you bring to our community. See you at the Dance Center!
The School at the Mark Morris Dance Center is a communitybased dance and music program in a fully inclusive and nurturing environment, located in the heart of the Brooklyn Cultural District. The School’s diverse and professional faculty provide progressive, non-competitive, and inclusive instruction with classes accompanied by live music. We welcome and are proud to instruct disabled and non-disabled students who represent diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds, identify across the gender spectrum, and who come from every borough in New York City as well as New Jersey and Long Island. We are intentionally a non-recital school with a studentcentered, culturally responsive instructional approach rooted in our core values of Access, Artistic Excellence, Community, and Creativity.
To learn more about our core values, visit mmdg.org/our-core-values
The School at the Mark Morris Dance Center annually provides $25,000 in need-based scholarships to a limited number of qualifying students. Scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Applicants will be notified of results on a rolling basis until all scholarships are distributed.
Families interested in donating to support scholarships can do so as an add-on to their tuition during registration
Your gift of support will help keep programs accessible to our broader community through scholarships and tiered tuition programs. Learn more at mmdg.org/donate
Due to limited space, each family who applies and is selected for a scholarship will receive it for one (1) child in one (1) of our Early Childhood programs. Scholarships are non-transferrable to the next session. A new application must be submitted for each eight-week session. Scholarship application periods for these programs are as follows:
Children and Teens
Due to limited space, each family who applies and is selected for a scholarship will receive it for one (1) class per child interested in our Children and Teens programs. Families may elect to enroll on scholarship for one semester or for the entire academic year. Scholarships are transferrable to the second semester in the Children and Teens program of the same academic year in which the scholarship was awarded. A new application must be submitted for each new academic year and for any additional programs students in which enroll (e.g. summer or school-year camps). Scholarship application periods for these programs are as follows:
Mid-Winter, Spring, and Summer Camps Scholarships will be awarded via a lottery system and applications for scholarships will open the same day as camp registration. Due to limited space, each family who applies and is selected for a scholarship will receive it for one (1) child in one (1) of our camp programs. Scholarships are non-transferrable to the regular academic year in The School. Scholarship application periods for these programs are as follows:
For more information about scholarships, visit mmdg.org/scholarships
The Family Guild of The School at the Mark Morris Dance Center is a newly formed consortium of parents and guardians of children in The School who wish to provide additional support and assistance to programs. The Guild meets periodically throughout the year and exists to:
• Build community among the parent/ guardian population in The School.
• Leverage parent/guardian connections to the Dance Center community to ensure broad engagement with events and programs.
• Provide a sounding board for staff regarding general trends and parent needs and interests.
• Increase contributed support to The School and Community Engagement programs through monetary or in-kind donations.
Parents/guardians who join the guild do so with the understanding that they will have no priority access of any kind to registration or resources from The School. Guild membership is entered into under the desire to charitably support the mission of the Mark Morris Dance Group and the excellence, creativity, community, and accessibility core values through which that mission is accomplished. Interested parent/guardians should contact schooladmin@mmdg.org.
Early childhood is a time for dancers to be introduced to dance and music concepts primarily through the medium of play-based activities. Classes are 45-minutes long and are held weekly on eight-week cycles, allowing families to participate for shorter blocks.
For more information, visit mmdg.org/early-childhood.
Calendar
Fall Session 1
September 11 to November 12, 2023*
Fall Session 2 November 8, 2023 to January 22, 2024**
Winter Session January 26 to March 28, 2024**
Spring Session April 1 to June 8, 2024
*Seven weeks of Sunday, Monday, Friday, and Saturday classes. These are priced differently. All others are eight weeks.
** Seven weeks of Sunday classes. These are priced differently. All others are eight weeks.
Registraton Dates
August 29
October 2
October 24
November 20
January 9
February 6
March 19
April 8
May 3
Registration Opens – Fall Session 1 (12:00pm)
Registration Closes – Fall Session 1
Registration Opens – Fall Session 2 (12:00pm)
Registration Closes – Fall Session 2
Registration Opens – Winter Session (12:00pm)
Registration Closes – Winter Session
Registration Opens – Spring Session (12:00pm)
Registration Closes – Spring Session
Registration Opens – Summer Session (12:00pm)
These workshops for children and their grown-ups introduce movement by incorporating singing, musical instruments, and games, accompanied by live music. Full participation of the adult with the child supports bonding, modeling, language, and movement development through great fun and play.
We Dance - Ages 18m.-2
Monday 9:15-10:00am, 10:00-10:45am
Tuesday 9:15-10:00am
Wednesday 9:15-10:00am
Thursday 9:15-10:00am, 10:00-10:45am
Friday 9:15-10:00am
Saturday 9:00-9:45am, 9:15-10:00am, 2:30-3:15pm
We Dance - Ages 2-3
Monday 10:45-11:30am
Tuesday 10:00-10:45am, 10:45-11:30am
Wednesday 10:00-10:45am
Thursday 10:45-11:30am
Friday 10:00-10:45am, 10:45-11:30am
Saturday 9:45-10:30am, 10:30-11:15am, 10:00-10:45am, 3:15-4:00pm
We Dance - Ages 3-4
Monday 3:45-4:30pm
Tuesday 3:30-4:15pm
Wednesday 10:45-11:30am, 3:30-4:15pm
Thursday 11:30am-12:15pm, 3:30-4:15pm
Friday 11:30am-12:15pm
Saturday 10:45-11:30am, 11:15am-12:00pm
Classes at Brooklyn Music School
Located at 126 St. Felix Street, Brooklyn, NY
We Dance Ages 18m.-2
Sunday 9:15-10:00am
We Dance Sunday Ages 2-3 10:00-10:45am
Creative Dance is the perfect introduction for the future study of all dance techniques. Unique to The School, these classes blend movement, music, improvisation, and basic dance steps. Students learn dance fundamentals to live musical accompaniment while improving motor skills, self-expression, confidence, imagination, and social development.
Age 4
Monday 3:45-4:30pm
Tuesday 4:00-4:45pm
Tuesday 3:45-4:30pm
Wednesday 4:00-4:45pm
Thursday 3:30-4:15pm
Friday 4:00-4:45pm
Saturday 11:30am-12:15pm
Saturday 12:00-12:45pm
Sunday 10:45-11:30am
Classes at Brooklyn Music School
Ages 5-6
Monday 4:30-5:15pm
Tuesday 4:45-5:30pm
Wednesday 4:45-5:30pm
Thursday 4:00-4:45pm
Friday 4:45-5:30pm
Saturday 12:45-1:30pm
Saturday 2:45-3:30pm
Sunday 11:30am-12:15pm
Located at 126 St. Felix Street, Brooklyn, NY
Creative Dance Age 4 Sunday
*NEW
Early Childhood Drop-in Classes (Newborn - 4 years)
For the first time, The School will be offering drop-in classes, including We Dance and our new We Dance: Post-Partum option. Designed for caregivers and babies ages newborn through ten months, We Dance: Post-Partum merges the rhythm and fun of dance class with a dancer’s understanding of how to move in physically healthy ways. These are offered as drop-in classes on the following schedule:
Calendar
Drop-in Session 1
Drop-in Session 2
November 4, 11, and 18
January 13, 20, and 27
Drop-in Session 3 TBD
Drop-in Session 4 TBD
We Dance: Post-Partum*
Newborn-New Walkers
Drop-in Session 5 TBD Saturday 9:00-10:00am
We Dance
Ages 18 m.-2
Ages 2-3
Ages 3-4
Saturday 10:00-10:45am
Saturday 10:45-11:30am
Saturday 11:30am-12:15pm
*Participants are required to register for all three weeks of classes offered in each session of We Dance: Post Partum.
School-age children are ready to dive more deeply into weekly recreational studies of specific technique and concepts regarding different styles of dance. The School currently offers jazz dance, hip-hop, ballet, modern dance, tap, West African dance, and music and singing classes.
For more information, visit mmdg.org/children-teens
Calendar
Semester 1*
September 11, 2023 to January 22, 2024
Semester 2 January 26, 2024 to June 15, 2024
Registraton Dates
August 22
Priority Registration for Semester 1 Opens (12:00pm)
August 29 General Registration for Semester 1 Opens (12:00pm)
October 14 Last Day for Registration Changes in Semester 1
December 12 Mid-Winter, Spring Break, and Summer Camp
Registration Opens (9:00am)
January 9
Priority Registration for Semester 2 Opens (12:00pm)
January 16 General Registration for Semester 2 Opens (12:00pm)
February 10 Last Day for Registration Changes Mid-Winter Break Camp
March 2 Last Day for Registration Changes in Semester 2
March 23 Last Day for Registration Changes Spring Break Camp
*15 weeks of Monday, Friday, and Saturday classes in semester 1; 17 weeks of Monday, Friday, and Saturday classes in semester 2. These are priced differently for those who choose to pay by semester.Born out of African dance, American tap dance, ballet, and theatre, jazz dance is inherently related to popular music and has evolved alongside it. Our classes draw from a variety of historical and contemporary jazz styles ranging from Broadway, commercial, funk, and classical techniques.
Jazz Fundamentals A
Ages 6-8 Monday 4:15-5:00pm
Ages 6-8 Wednesday 4:15-5:00pm
Jazz Fundamentals B
Ages 7-9 Tuesday 4:00-4:45pm
Ages 7-9 Friday 4:15-5:00pm
Jazz Level 1 Ages 8-10 Tuesday 4:15-5:15pm
Jazz Level 2 Ages 9-12 Thursday 4:45-5:45pm
Jazz Level 3 Ages 10-14 Wednesday 5:15-6:30pm
Beginner Teen Jazz
Ages 13-18 Saturday 4:00-5:15pm
Jazz Level 4/5 | Int./Adv. Teen Jazz
Ages 13-18 Tuesday 5:15-6:45pm
Established in the 1970s in New York City, hip-hop dance—as an element of hip-hop culture—has become a popular and innovative movement style across the world. Our classes begin with a community-building warm-up followed by skill building in large and small groups.
Hip-Hop Fundamentals A -
Ages 6-8
Monday 4:00-4:45pm
Tuesday 3:45-4:30pm
Wednesday 4:00-4:45pm
Thursday 4:15-5:00pm
Friday 4:00-4:45pm
Saturday 9:00-9:45am
Hip-Hop Level 1 - Ages 8-10
Friday 4:45-5:45pm
Saturday 9:45-10:45am
Hip-Hop Level 3 - Ages 10-14
Thursday 5:00-6:15pm
Hip-Hop Fundamentals B -
Ages 7-9
Tuesday 4:30-5:15pm
Wednesday 5:00-5:45pm
Thursday 4:15-5:00pm
Friday 4:00-4:45pm
Int. Teen Hip-Hop / Level 4 -
Ages 13-18
Saturday 10:30am-12:00pm
Hip-Hop Level 2 - Ages 9-12
Monday 4:30-5:30pm
Tuesday 5:30-6:30pm
Beginner Teen Hip-Hop -
Ages 13-18
Wednesday 6:15-7:30pm
Thursday 4:45-6:00pm
Adv. Teen Hip-Hop / Level 5 -
Ages 13-18
Monday 5:15-6:45pm
Ballet is a classical dance form that originated in the 1500s. Our classes are accompanied by a pianist and follow a traditional structure.
Ballet Fundamentals A -
Ages 6-8
Tuesday 4:00-4:45pm
Wednesday 4:15-5:00pm
Thursday 4:00-4:45pm
Friday 4:00-4:45pm
Saturday 9:15-10:00am
Ballet Level 1 - Ages 8-10
Monday 4:15-5:15pm
Friday 4:45-5:45pm
Saturday 1:00-2:00pm
Ballet Level 3 - Ages 10-14
Wednesday 4:00-5:15pm
Friday 5:00-6:15pm
Saturday 11:00am-12:15pm
Int. Teen Ballet / Level 4 -
Ages 13-18
Wednesday 4:00-5:30pm
Saturday 10:45am-12:15pm
Pre-pointe* - Ages 11-18
Wednesday 5:30-6:15pm
Saturday 12:15-1:00pm
Pointe Level 2* - Ages 13-18
Monday 6:15-7:00pm
Saturday 11:30am-12:15pm
Ballet Fundamentals B -
Ages 7-9
Monday 5:00-5:45pm
Tuesday 4:45-5:30pm
Friday 4:45-5:30pm
Saturday 10:00-10:45am
Ballet Level 2 - Ages 9-12
Monday 4:45-5:45pm
Thursday 5:45-6:45pm
Saturday 2:00-3:00pm
Beg. Teen BalletAges 13-18
Thursday 6:15-7:30pm
Friday 5:30-6:45pm
Adv. Teen Ballet / Level 5 -
Ages 13-18
Monday 4:45-6:15pm
Saturday 10:00-11:30am
Pointe Level 1* - Ages 11-18
Wednesday 5:30-6:15pm
Saturday 12:15-1:00pm
*Students may not register for Pointe Levels 1 and 2 without instructor recommendation and approval. New and returning students to The School taking Ballet Levels 3, 4, and 5 and who were not recommended and approved to take pointe can register for a pre-pointe class. Students registered in Pointe Level 1 and Pre-pointe will be observed by two separate teaching artists during the first four weeks of the semester and be given final placement by The School prior to registration closing. Pointe classes only accept new students during the Fall semester.
Modern dance is a concert dance form that arose out of ballet in the early 20th century. Our classes are accompanied by live music and draw from a variety of classical and contemporary techniques.
Modern Fundamentals AAges 6-8
Monday 4:00-4:45pm
Tuesday 5:30-6:15pm
Friday 5:30-6:15pm
Saturday 9:00-9:45am
Modern Level 1 - Ages 8-10
Tuesday 4:45-5:45pm
Saturday 1:45-2:45pm
Modern Level 3 - Ages 10-14
Monday 5:45-7:00pm
Beginner Teen Modern Ages 13-18
Tuesday 5:30-6:45pm
Modern Level 4 / Intermediate Teen Modern Ages 13-18
Saturday 3:00-4:30pm
Contemporary Modern Level 5 / Advanced Teen Modern Ages 13-18
Tuesday 5:45-7:15pm
Modern Fundamentals BAges 7-9
Wednesday 5:30-6:15pm
Thursday 5:00-5:45pm
Friday 5:45-6:30pm
Modern Level 2 - Ages 9-12
Monday 5:45-6:45pm
Thursday 6:00-7:00pm
Student Company I
Modern* Ages 13+
Saturday 12:00-1:00pm
Rehearsal* Ages 13+
Saturday 1:00-3:30pm
Student Company II
Modern* Ages 10+
Friday 4:15-5:15pm
Rehearsal* Ages 10+
Friday 5:15-7:00pm
Tap dance is a percussive style that originated in the United States in the 1700s. Using shoes with metal plates to create sound, students develop coordination, precision, rhythmic skills, and musicality.
Tap Fundamentals AAges 6-8
Tuesday 4:30-5:15pm
Saturday 9:00-9:45am
Tap Level 1 Ages 8-10
Tap Level 2 Ages 9-12
Tap Level 3 Ages 10-14
Beginner Teen Tap Ages 13-18
Tap Level 4/5 - Int./Adv. Teen Tap Ages 13-18
Tap Fundamentals B -
Ages 7-9
Thursday 4:30-5:15pm
Saturday 9:45-10:30am
Tuesday 5:15-6:15pm
Thursday 5:15-6:15pm
Monday 5:30-6:45pm
Saturday 1:00-2:15pm
Saturday 2:15-3:45pm
West African dance explores the fundamentals of West African culture and tradition through music and dance. The musicality, traditions, and various techniques introduced in these classes will connect with dance techniques of Africa and its diaspora, including but not limited to, the dances of Mali, Guinea, Senegal, afrobeat, afro house, and more.
West African Fundamentals A/B
Ages 6-9 Thursday 4:15-5:00pm
West African Level 1/2
Ages 9-12 Thursday 5:00-6:00pm
All Level Teen West African
Ages 13-18 Friday 5:45-7:00pm
In Music and Singing classes, students explore the joy of singing while developing musicianship skills, such as ear training and sight reading. Our classes draw from folk, classical, Broadway, and contemporary songbooks with a focus on breathing, vocal technique, rhythm, melody, song interpretation, and creativity.
Music and Singing Fundamentals A/B
Ages 6-8 Saturday 12:15-1:00pm
Music and Singing Level 1/2
Ages 8-10 Saturday 1:30-2:30pm
Music and Singing Level 3/4
Ages 9-12 Wednesday 4:45-6:00pm
All Level Teen Music and Singing
Ages 13-18 Wednesday 6:00-7:15pm
The School is committed to bringing the joy and benefits of dance and music to students with disabilities. While all the classes in The School are fully inclusive, our Adaptive Dance classes are kept small to allow for a more intimate learning experience and optional parent/ caregiver participation.
Adaptive Modern Dance Level 1
Ages 6-12 Saturday 12:30-1:15pm
Adaptive Modern Dance Level 2
Ages 13-18 Saturday 1:15-2:15pm
Please see the School Handbook on our website to read more about Accessibility in The School at the Mark Morris Dance Center.In addition to their participation in the Children and Teens Programs, some students are interested in engaging in further study of dance through performance and choreography. For those children, The School offers Specialized Study Programs.
The Student Companies of The School at the Mark Morris Dance Center exemplify the progressive, comprehensive, and musicallydriven approach of Mark Morris’ work. The Student Companies focuses on modern dance training, prioritizing the experience of performing works of influential choreographers in the field while utilizing other dance techniques to support diverse approaches to performance quality. Student Companies I and II dancers are selected by audition each Fall. The year culminates in public performances at the Mark Morris Dance Center.
Requirements
Student Company I: Must be a minimum 13 years of age and have 5 years of formal dance training.
Student Company I Modern and Rehearsal Technique class of appropriate level in another dance form
Student Company II: Must be a minimum 10 years of age and have 3 years of formal dance training.
Student Company II Modern And Rehearsal Technique class of appropriate level in another dance form
Student Company I Modern Ages 13+ Saturday 12:00-1:00pm
Student Company I Rehearsal Ages 13+ Saturday 1:00-3:30pm
Student Company II Modern Ages 10+ Friday 4:15-5:15pm
Student Company II Rehearsal Ages 10+ Friday 5:15-7:00pm
Arts Immersion fellows, selected via an application process, delve deeply into all aspects of dance, production,and arts administration, gaining valuable experience and exposure in New York City’s performing arts arena. The program culminates in a performance that is student-driven, created, and produced. To learn more about the program and apply, visit mmdg.org/arts-immersion
Arts Immersion Ages 15+ Thursday 5:00-6:00pm
Private lessons offer the opportunity to get personalized instruction and corrections in an intimate environment. Private lessons are booked directly by contacting the faculty on the Private Lessons page. Additionally, the Mark Morris Dance Center welcomes student groups year-round. Information about group lessons can be found at mmdg.org/private-lessons
This series of classes is designed for the whole family to learn fundamentals of dance, fitness, and music genres together in a fun and encouraging environment. All workshops are 60 minutes long. No experience necessary. These classes are run periodically throughout the year.
More information regarding this year’s Family Fun offerings can be found at mmdg.org/family-fun
We offer a wide range of arts-in-education programming for all grade levels, collaborating with community center’s and school’s administration and faculty to tailor residencies, workshops, and classes to meet the needs and aspirations of its students.
For more information about bringing MMDG to your school, contact Community Education Programs Manager Calvin A. Rollins II at calvin.rollins@mmdg.org or visit mmdg.org/community
The School at the Mark Morris Dance Center is committed to upholding its core values of Access, Artistic Excellence, Creativity, and Community. To ensure access to excellent dance education for the everyone, tiered pricing options, in collaboration with our scholarship program, allow us to take collective action to reduce financial barriers that have traditionally prevented some students and families from participating. Families who can should select the tuition option Tier 3 so that we can continue to offer our programs with additional support staff, live music, and in our state-of-the-art facilities. Please find all tuition options below:
Tiered tuition is run on an honor system. We do not examine financial records of any family. The information below is provided as a guide to help determine which pricing tier may fit your family best. We recognize there may be situations under which this guide is not applicable:
Students in the Children and Teens programs registered for more than one class in a semester will receive a 15% discount. This discount does not apply to the Early Childhood programs.
Siblings receive a 15% discount. This discount does not apply to siblings enrolled in the Early Childhood programs.
Tuition is refundable within the indicated registration periods of each respective program, less a $15 processing fee, the pro-rated cost of classes taken (whether attended or not), and any applied discounts. Please note: Schedule and/or teachers are subject to change.
The School at the Mark Morris Dance Center intentionally nurtures a non-performance based atmosphere. To ensure our community has a chance to engage with their child’s learning, we offer Family and Friends Days toward the end of each semester in Creative Dance classes and Technique Fundamentals A through Level 5 classes in The School. There are no Family and Friends Days in the Specialized Study Programs. More information regarding Family and Friends Days will be communicated to registered families as scheduling is confirmed.
Sarah Marcus, Director of Education and Community Engagement
Alexandra Cook, Youth and Family Programs Director
Lily Khan, School Administrator
Calvin A. Rollins II, Community Education Programs Manager
For information and details on The School’s policies, including dress code, drop-off and pick-up protocol, and more, please review our School Handbook at mmdg.org/school-policies
September 7 Student Company Auditions (4-6pm)
September 11 First Day of Early Childhood (Fall Session 1) and Children and Teens Programs Classes (Semester 1)
September 15-17 No Classes – Rosh Hashanah*
September 24-25 No Classes – Yom Kippur*
October 9 No Classes – Indigenous People’s Day*
November 7 No Classes – Election Day*
November 8 First Day of Early Childhood Programs Classes (Fall Session 2)
November 11 Veteran’s Day – All Classes In Session
November 22-26 No Classes – Thanksgiving Day Break*
Dec. 19-Jan. 1 Winter Break*
January 2 All Classes Resume
January 15 No Classes – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day*
Jan. 23-25 No Classes – The School at the Mark Morris Dance Center Break*±
January 26 First Day of Early Childhood (Winter Session) and Children and Teens Programs Classes (Semester 2)
February 17-23 No Regular Classes – Mid-Winter Break* ±
February 19-23 Mid-Winter Break Camp
February 24 All Classes Resume
March 29-31 No Classes – Easter Weekend*
April 1 First Day of Early Childhood Programs Classes (Spring Session) and Children and Teens Programs Classes Resume
April 10 No Classes – Eid al Fitr*
April 22-26 Spring Break Dance Camp
April 22-27 No Regular Classes – Spring Break*±
April 29 Classes Resume
May 25-27 No Classes – Memorial Day*
May 28 Last Day Tuesday Classes – Early Childhood and Children and Teens Programs
May 30 Last Day Thursday Classes – Early Childhood and Children and Teens Programs
May 31 Last Day Friday Classes – Early Childhood Programs
June 2 Last Day Sunday Classes – Early Childhood Programs
June 3 Last Day Monday Classes – Early Childhood Programs
June 5 Last Day Wednesday Classes – Early Childhood and Children and Teens Programs
June 7-9 Dance Center Showcase Performances – Children and Teens Programs
June 7 Last Day Friday Classes – Children and Teens Programs
June 8 Last Day Saturday Classes – Early Childhood Programs
June 10 Last Day Monday Classes – Children and Teens Programs
June 15 Last Day Saturday Classes – Children and Teens Programs
June 11-17 Reserved for Snow Day Makeup ±