Visa & Professional Training Program

12+ WEEKLY CLASSES

Students choose their weekly classes from Gibney’s Open Class Schedule. Gibney holds over 90 Open Classes weekly in a wide range of techniques and levels. This is an opportunity for students to take class alongside NYC professionals, explore classes in new styles, and delve into their own personal interests.

STUDENT GATHERINGS

Students and program staff come together twice per month to meet and connect. These meetings offer students the opportunity to share with one another and ask questions. Each meeting will conclude in a discussion with various topics including setting goals, artistic challenges, budgeting and networking tips, producing your own work, and more.

ARTISTIC ADVISORS

An opportunity for students to connect with an active professional artist in the New York City dance scene, each student will be matched with an artistic advisor based on their unique interests and goals.  Students will meet monthly with their artistic advisor throughout the course of the program, for a minimum 1 hour per meeting. These meetings will allow you to talk openly, ask questions, and receive career guidance from a professional artist.

ONE-ON-ONE SUPPORT

Every student will have access to individualized support from the Gibney Training Program Staff. One-on-one check-ins will be held at the beginning and end of your program to set goals, discuss progress, reflect on the program, and develop plans post-program completion. Students may schedule additional meetings with Training Program Staff to discuss any questions that may arise.

GIBNEY CLASS CURRICULUM

Gibney houses a pre-eminent training ground that provides a comprehensive contemporary dance education. Its thoughtfully composed curriculum is unique among New York City dance centers.

Students choose a track based on their interests and professional goals. There are separate course requirements for each track, resulting in at least 22 hours of instructional time in the classroom and varying lengths of time in lab instruction. Students must complete at least 44 classes per month and can take up to 56 classes per month. This does not include lab hours, rehearsals, or independent projects outside of instructional class time. Each track has specific start dates and optional lengths.

Time to Complete Program: 3, 6, 9, or 12 Months
Minimum Hours per Month: 88 Hours
Start Date: First Monday of any Month
Certificate Achieved: Certificate of Completion, Contemporary Dance Program
Weekly Requirements (22 instructional hours):

• 5 Daily Technique Classes (10 hours)
• 2 Physical Inquiry & Somatic Practices Classes (4 hours)
• 4 Elective Classes (8 hours)

Time to Complete Program: 6 or 12 months
Minimum Hours per Month: 88 Hours
Start Date: First Monday of September or March
Certificate Achieved: Certificate of Completion, Choreographic Process Program

Weekly Requirements (22 instructional hours):

• 5 Daily Technique (10 hours)
• 2 Physical Inquiry & Somatic Practices (4 hours)
• 4 Creative Exploration / Performative Techniques & Composition (4 hours)

Students in the Choreographic Process Track must complete an Independent Choreographic Project. This project offers students the opportunity to create a performance from start to finish with the support of a professional dance institution. 

Project components include: 

• $100 toward Gibney Studio space each month
• One shared performance in The Theater at Gibney with professional tech production, marketing, programs and management in February OR August
• A short performance trailer filmed and edited by Gibney’s Digital Media Initiative (DMI)
• One camera shoot of final performance by DMI

Time to Complete Program: 3, 6, 9, or 12 Months
Minimum Hours per Month: 88 Hour
Start Date: First Monday of any Month
Certificate Achieved: Certificate of Completion, Ballet Studies Program

Weekly Requirements (22 instructional hours):

• 5 Daily Technique- Ballet (10 hours)
• 2 Daily Technique- Contemporary (4 hours)
• 2 Physical Inquiry & Somatic Practices (4 hours)
• 2 Electives (4 hours)

Months
Minimum Hours per Month: 88 Hours
Start Date: First Monday of September
Certificate Achieved: Certificate of Completion, Community Action Program

Weekly Requirements (22 instructional hours):

• 3 Physical Inquiry & Somatic Practices (6 hours)
• 1 Creative Exploration / Performative Techniques & Composition (4 hours)
• 4 Daily Technique (8 hours)
• 2 Electives (4 hours)

Students in the Community Action track research and develop their own Community Action and Arts practice, class, or project. Students receive guidance and support from Gibney’s Community Action department. This program is designed for students interested in creating a project with a very specific focus and bringing it back to their home country or community. 

Project components include: 

• Institute for Community Action Training, January Session Only [LINK]
• Independent Research Project
• Final Project Presentation

Students may elect to add a performance option to the Community Action track for an additional fee. Please review the Choreographic Process Track information for Choreographic Project components.  

Time to Complete Program: 3, 6, 9, or 12 Months
Minimum Hours per Month: 88 Hours
Start Date: First Monday of any Month
Certificate Achieved: Certificate of Completion, Independent Study Program
Concentrations available in: Pedagogy/Teaching, Physical Theater, Somatic Practices

Weekly Requirements (22 instructional hours):

• 14 Instructional Hours in Concentration
• 8 Instructional Hours in Other Disciplines

Students in the Independent Study track develop their own concentration based on their unique interests and career goals. Past Independent Study concentrations have included pedagogy/teaching, physical theater, and somatic practices. This track culminates in a final presentation. Final presentation format may include a performance, class instructed, formal presentation, written project, or other form, based on student’s concentration, with approval from Gibney Training Program Staff. 

Additional Projects to be completed within curriculum:

• Independent Research Project, related to Concentration
• Final Project Presentation

Students may elect to add a performance option to the Independent Study track for an additional fee. Please review the Choreographic Process Track information for Choreographic Project components.  

THREE (3) MONTH PROGRAM
Tuition: $2,600
Due Within 2 Weeks of Acceptance: $1,300
Estimated Living Expenses: $4,800
Optional Vacation: None

SIX (6) MONTH PROGRAM
Tuition: $5,100
Due Within 2 Weeks of Acceptance: $2,550
Estimated Living Expenses: $9,600
Optional Vacation: One Week

NINE (9) MONTH PROGRAM
Tuition: $7,500
Due Within 2 Weeks of Acceptance: $3,750
Estimated Living Expenses: $14,400
Optional Vacation: Two Weeks

TWELVE (12) MONTH PROGRAM
Tuition: $9,800
Due Within 2 Weeks of Acceptance: $4,900
Estimated Living Expenses: $19,200
Optional Vacation: Two Weeks

SIX (6) MONTH PROGRAM
Tuition: $6,400
Due Within 2 Weeks of Acceptance: $3,200
Estimated Living Expenses: $9,600
Optional Vacation: One Week
Includes: $100 toward space each month, a produced performance in The Theater at Gibney with professional tech production, marketing, programs, and management, and professional video footage of the performance.

TWELVE (12) MONTH PROGRAM
Tuition: $11,700
Due Within 2 Weeks of Acceptance: $5,850
Estimated Living Expenses: $19,200
Optional Vacation: Two Weeks
Includes: $100 toward space each month, a produced performance in The Theater at Gibney with professional tech production, marketing, programs, and management, and professional video footage of the performance.

SIX (6) MONTH PROGRAM
Tuition: $5,600
Due Within 2 Weeks of Acceptance: $2,800
Estimated Living Expenses: $9,600
Optional Vacation: One Week
Includes: Participation in the Institute for Community Action Training ($500 Course)

*If you choose to add a performance option to the Independent Study or Community Action track, tuition will include an additional $1,300 for six months and an additional $1,900 for twelve months.

The M-1 visa is for nonacademic or vocational studies. M-1 visa holders for technical and vocational programs are not permitted to work during the course of their studies. Therefore, M-1 visa applicants must have evidence that sufficient funds are immediately available to pay all tuition and estimated living expenses for the entire period of intended stay.

Students in the Contemporary Dance, Ballet Studies, and Independent Study track may start the first Monday of any Month. Students in the Choreographic Track may start the first Monday of September or January. Students in the Community Action track may start the first Monday of September. A September start date is recommended for all students. 

Interested students are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. 

If you are applying for M-1 Visa sponsorship, you must apply no later than 2 months before your desired start date. Advance applications are recommended to allow enough time to obtain the M-1 Visa. 

If you are not applying for M-1 Visa sponsorship, you must apply no later than 1 month before your desired start date. Advance applications are recommended. 

All applicants must be 18 years of age or older by the start of the program. Gibney does not have a maximum age limit for the program. 

Gibney accepts students in any stage of their dance education. As students may build their own class schedule from Gibney’s diverse offerings, students at any experience level will find a challenging and fulfilling schedule. 

English Proficiency is not required, though an understanding of English is strongly encouraged to take full advantage of all curriculum. 

After applying, Gibney Training Program staff will contact you through email to schedule an interview with you, either via Skype call, or in person. In the interview, we will learn more about your interests and goals, review program components, and answer any questions you may have. Please note interviews will not be scheduled if you have not submitted the application fee. 

Professional Training Program (No Visa Sponsorship)

International Visa Training Program (Gibney M-1 Visa Sponsorship)

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Attendance in all classes plays a critical role in student success. Progress is difficult and often unachievable without regular attendance. If a student fails to complete weekly course requirements for more than one week consecutively, they will be asked to meet with Program Staff to discuss the status of their participation in the program. It is the duty of the student to maintain their status by respecting the class attendance requirements. Failure to meet these requirements could result in dismissal from the program and/or loss of M-1 status for Visa Students.

CAUSES FOR EXPULSION

Students may be asked to leave the program if it becomes clear that their intention is not to seriously study dance while in the Professional Training Program, or if they are consistently unable to complete attendance requirements. Each student is expected to exhibit professional behavior by showing respect toward staff, faculty and fellow students. At any point, if Gibney staff feels you have demonstrated behavior deemed unacceptable or offensive, it may be cause for dismissal from the program.

METHODS OF PAYMENT

Acceptable methods of payment for tuition include wire transfer, credit/debit card, check, or cash. All payments must be in US Dollars. Checks must be drawn on a US bank in US Dollars. Cash payments are accepted in person only (please do not mail cash!) at a scheduled time. 

Note that the non-refundable $100 application fee must be paid with a credit card. 

PAYMENT SCHEDULE

Tuition payments may be paid in two or more installments. Half the tuition is due within two weeks of acceptance. This tuition deposit holds your place in the program. For students applying for an M-1 Visa, Gibney will issue your I-20 form once this deposit is received. Should your visa not be approved in your home country, Gibney will refund 90% of tuition paid to date. The remainder of tuition is due no later than the first day of the program. 

REFUND POLICY

Application fees are non-refundable. Should your visa not be approved in your home country, Gibney will refund 90% of tuition paid to date, prior to the start of the program. 

No refunds are given once the program has started, regardless of program completion or withdrawal. Dismissal from the program will not constitute a reason for any refund.

Students are responsible for finding their own housing for the duration of the Professional Training Program. In order to assist students in choosing the housing arrangement that works best for them, Gibney provides a list of housing opportunities as a helpful starting point. Gibney is not in any way affiliated and does not benefit financially from these presented opportunities. The list will be shared upon acceptance into the program. 

Students who successfully complete the Gibney Visa & Professional Training Program will receive a Certificate of Completion.

Past students in the Gibney Training Programs have gone on to: perform their own work; perform with major touring companies; launch their own dance companies; publish books and articles; join the Gibney Staff; open their own dance studios; direct university dance departments; teach dance; receive BFAs, MFAs, and PhDs.

Professional Training & Visa Students have joined Gibney from all over the world! Take a look at our map of past and current Gibney Training students.