International Program


Full-Time Visa Program for International Students

Dancers from abroad interested in professional training at the Merce Cunningham Studio are invited to apply for the International Student Program, a program equivalent to the Professional Training Program available to United States citizens and permanent residents. Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance, students in this program work toward a certificate of completion. Also view the class schedule.

Qualifications for the International Program (Visa Program)

The Merce Cunningham studio does not require an audition. In order to show that a student can qualify for full-time study at the Elementtary level or higher, applicants must submit two professional recommendations and a detailed Curriculum Vitae. Students are expected to have experience in dance technique (ballet, modern/contemporary) prior to professional study of Cunningham Technique at the Merce Cunningham Studio.

Enrollment

Applying for a student visa is a lengthy process. We recommend contacting Alice Helpern, International Program Advisor, at alice@merce.org, or 212-255-8240 x 31, at least 4 months prior to the start date of the program the student would like to attend.

• The Merce Cunningham Studio is authorized to accept dance professionals who qualify for the F-1 non-immigrant Student Visa or the J-1 Exchange Visitor Student Visa.

• International students are sponsored by the Merce Cunningham Studio for a student visa provided they study full-time and that is their primary purpose in the United States.

• The F-1 Student Visa and the J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa must be obtained at the U.S. Embassy in the country of residence or home country.
• As full-time students sponsored by the Cunningham Dance Foundation for either F-1 or J-1 Visa, students must be able to earn a minimum of twelve academic credits per quarter. A full-time program should be completed in a time period of two to three years. A student should be able to earn 96 academic credits in two years; and 144 credits in three years.

Students applying from abroad are asked to submit the following:

• Cover letter to include the reasons for study at the Merce Cunningham Studio
• Merce Cunningham Studio International Program Application Form
• Copy of Curriculum Vitae
• Copy of Valid Passport Information Page
• Two professional recommendations (in English) from a qualified dance professional.

Please refer to the Application Process Document  and the IP Information Packet for more details.

International students without a student visa, click here.

Class/Schedule Information

Starting dates for the quarter are on or near the beginning of January, March, June and September. All new students begin at the Elementary Level. Students are expected to have experience in dance technique (ballet, modern/contemporary) prior to professional study of technique at the Merce Cunningham Studio. 

Tuition applies to a specific number of required technique classes. Special Workshops carry an additional fee.  Advancement to the Intermediate Level is by permission of the faculty.  The Student Registration Card includes a place for faculty signatures to allow a student to try the next level.  The Open Program is ongoing. International students may start at any time during the year. Students who arrive in New York during the middle of an academic quarter should take daily classes in the Open Program until the new Quarter begins.

Funding for International Students

Visa applicants must demonstrate that they have sufficient financial support to cover the duration of their program. The amount required includes tuition, fees and living expenses. In 2010 students can expect to spend approximately $17,000 for one full year of study in New York U.S. government regulations require that International Students provide documentation to the school that they have sufficient funds to cover expenses for the length of their program indicated on the application. Students admitted with non-immigrant F-1 status may use personal or family funds or obtain funds from an individual sponsor. A Financial Affidavit is required.  

J-1 Students are issued Exchange Visitor status when they show the majority of their financial support comes from local or federal government sources or private foundations and not their personal or family funds. A letter of proof of support is required. In some cases a two-year home requirement will be issued at the time of application.

International Student Health Insurance

All international students are required to have medical insurance from the time they arrive in the US.  If you have a personal insurance from your country that covers doctors’ fees, please mail a copy to the Studio.  Otherwise, you must subscribe to a group policy through the Studio. Costs vary with age and marital status.

For J-1 students, this is a requirement of the United States Department of Homeland Security. Failure to comply could mean termination of your program.

Housing
The Studio does not have housing facilities. We maintain a list of temporary housing suggestions. We have a bulletin board at the Studio where students can look for apartments to sublet or share. If you plan to rent your own apartment you may have to pay 1 to 3 months rent in advance as security. If you use a rental agent, you will need to pay them an additional fee.

Financial Aid and Employment
All students are eligible to audition for merit scholarships, which are awarded every three months. In addition to merit scholarships, a limited number of work scholarships are available. Most scholarship awards cover half the cost of tuition. The Department of Homeland Security restricts employment for international students. Students are expected to have sufficient funds when they arrive so that they do not need to find work. Do not count on working in New York to pay for your stay here.

F-1 Students may work on campus in exchange for tuition. They may apply to INS for Work Authorization in cases of severe economic hardship, after they have been in the program for one academic year. Since there are no long vacation periods, only part-time employment may be possible.

J-1 Exchange Visitors may apply for a Social Security card to seek part time employment after they have been in the program for at least one quarter if their attendance record is excellent, and/or they may work on campus in exchange for tuition. Exchange Visitor students are not permitted to perform with dance companies where admission fees are charged.

Attendance/Refund Policy

Students must register for full time enrollment and make up any missed classes during an academic quarter of 12 weeks.  Absences are excused for up to two weeks during a quarter for illness and injury only. A written note should be submitted with the dates missed and the reason. Prolonged absence due to Illness or injury may require a temporary medical withdrawal from the program.*

• If a student has professional dance commitments out of the country that require temporary absence from the program, arrangement must be made in advance of registration for the quarter. A written statement from the employer is required. If the absence is longer than two weeks it may be possible to prorate the tuition.

The Merce Cunningham Studio makes refunds to the students in the form of tuition credit only under the following limited circumstances:

• Medical reasons. A written statement from a physician is required for all illness and injury that prevents a student from making up missed classes to complete the quarter.
• Any problems due to unusual circumstances should be discussed with the Director of Education and/or the International Program Adviser.

ALICE HELPERN, International Program Coordinator 212.255.8240 x31 Alice Helpern c/o Merce Cunningham Studio 55 Bethune St. New York, NY 10014 alice@merce.org

Class cards can begin on any day.
International Program Enrollment Fee is $150 per year.

Professional Training Program Academic Calendar

Summer Quarter (2010):

May 31st - August 22nd

Holiday (Memorial Day): Monday, May 31st

Holiday (Independence Day observed): Monday, July 5th

Summer Intensive Workshop: July 12 – July 16, 2010

Teachers Workshop: July 19 – July 23, 2010

Summer Break: August 23rd – September 6th

Holiday (Labor Day): Monday, September 6th

Fall Scholarship Audition: Thursday, September 2nd *

Fall Quarter (2010):

September 7th - November 28th

Fall Workshop: TBD

Holiday (thanksgiving): Thursday, November 25th

Winter Scholarship Audition: Tuesday, November 16th *

Winter Quarter (2010/2011):

November 29th - March 6th

Winter Workshop: TBD

Winter Break: December 20th – January 2nd

Holiday (Martin Luther King Jr. day): Monday, January 17th

Spring Scholarship Audition: Tuesday, March 1st *

Spring Quarter (2011):

March 9th - May 29th

Spring Workshop: TBD

Summer Scholarship Audition: Tuesday, May 17th *

Summer Quarter (2011):

May 30th - August 21st

Holiday (Memorial Day): Monday, May 30th

Holiday (Independence Day): Monday, July 4th

Summer Break: August 22nd – September 5th

Holiday (Labor Day): Monday, September 5th

Fall Scholarship audition: Thursday, September 1st *

*dates subject to change