Harkness Center Healthy Dancer Initiative

A PROGRAM OF THE HARKNESS CENTER FOR DANCE INJURIES AT NYU LANGONE HEALTH IN PARTNERSHIP WITH GIBNEY, MARK MORRIS DANCE CENTER​, AND BROADWAY DANCE CENTER.

The Harkness Center Healthy Dancer Initiative (HCHDI) provides a cohort of professional dancers in financial need with free wellness workshops to encourage a sound, holistic approach to self-care and aid in career longevity and subsidized classes at three of New York City’s premiere dance centers.

BENEFITS

  • Free injury prevention and wellness workshops led by Harkness Center for Dance Injuries staff
  • Free Injury Prevention Assessment conducted by the Harkness Center for Dance Injuries
  • $5 dance technique and somatic classes at Gibney​, Mark Morris Dance Center​, and Broadway Dance Center. Dancers may take up to 25 classes over the six-month term across the two centers. All adult drop-in classes are included.
  • Gatherings with the HCHDI cohort at Gibney, Mark Morris, ​Broadway Dance Center and Harkness Center locations​.

Dancers are eligible based on financial need – gross household income is equal to or below 225% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) – and accepted by lottery into each six-month term. View Income Threshold chart.

APPLICATION DETAILS

Six Month Term: ​J​anuary ​2 – ​J​une 30, 202​5

Application opens: ​T​uesday,​ October 1​5, 2024
Application closes: Friday, ​N​ovember 1​5, 2024

Notification of acceptance: ​T​uesday, ​December ​10, 2024
Confirmation of acceptance: ​M​onday, ​December 1​6, 2024

Apply Now!

ABOUT THE HARKNESS CENTER FOR DANCE INJURIES

As the world’s leading clinical program in Dance Medicine, the Harkness Center for Dance Injuries at NYU Langone Health (HCDI) has dedicated itself to enhancing the health, well-being and quality of life of dancers and dance companies by providing breakthrough approaches to injury prevention, advanced medical treatment, education and training, and state-of-the-art research. HCDI is expanding its reach through the new Harkness Center Healthy Dancer Initiative, a wellness program in partnership with Gibney and like-minded organizations. For more information about HCDI programs and services, go to www.danceinjury.org.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who is eligible?

Professional and professional-track dancers are eligible based on financial need which is determined based on income and household size.

View the Income Threshold chart to see if you qualify.

Am I required to take class at all dance centers?

We encourage participants to visit all Centers over the course of the program to experience a wider variety of teachers, styles, and environments. However, there are no requirements or quotas.

Do I have to live in New York to qualify?

No! There are no residency restrictions. Applications from international dancers are also welcome.

How many applicants are accepted per term?

60 dancers are accepted for each six-month term. Please note: Only complete and qualified applications will be entered into the lottery.

May I apply more than once?

Yes, you are welcome to reapply each term.

If I’ve participated in one session, may I apply for another?

Dancers who have already participated in HCHDI are welcome to reapply each term, but please note that priority is given to first-time participants.

What are the selected participants expected to do?
  • Use full benefits (take 25 $5 classes within the 6-month term)
  • Participate in an Injury Prevention Assessment at the Harkness Center for Dance Injuries
  • Plan to attend the Injury Prevention workshop and any of additional workshops offered during the term
How do I calculate my income?
  1. Identify all of your sources of income
  •  Income from employment (W-2 or 1099)
  •  Income from self-employment
  •  Income from other sources

Some examples:

  • A paycheck, weekly, bi-weekly or monthly
  • Tips in cash at each shift
  • Any kind of weekly or monthly payment, such as child support, pension, or unemployment benefits
  • Annual bonus
  1. Convert wages into yearly totals.
  • Hourly wages from an employer (before taxes and other deductions are taken out)
  • Gross income on a pay stub (paid weekly, every two weeks, etc.)
  • Net income earned from self-employment (after business and other expenses are taken out)
  1. Add income from all sources together to get your total annual income.
How do I determine family size or who should be included in my household?

Members of your household include:

  • Spouse
  • Registered domestic partner
  • Dependents
  • Joint tax filer

Independent roommates or friends staying with you do not make up your household for tax or income reporting purposes, unless you claim them as dependents.