Business Details
26 Years
experience
Premier New York Ballet Theatre & Dance Education
Founded in 2000, Ajkun Ballet Theatre stands as a beacon of artistic excellence in New York City, dedicated to preserving and advancing the art of dance through performance, education, and global cultural exchange. Under the visionary leadership of Artistic Director Chiara Ajkun, a renowned choreographer and educator with over four decades of experience, we have become a vital part of NYC's thriving arts scene. Our mission encompasses three pillars: presenting world-class ballet productions, delivering innovative dance education through the Ajkun Methodology, and fostering international artistic collaboration through the AjkunBT Fund. With performances spanning 27 countries and educational programs attracting students from 135 nations, we combine technical mastery with creative innovation to make ballet accessible to diverse audiences. Our commitment to ethical values and cultural diplomacy has earned recognition from institutions like the U.S.Department of State and the Prime Minister of Malta, while our community initiativessuch as providing complimentary tickets to underserved communitiesreflect our dedication to social impact through the arts. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we maintain transparent governance and financial accountability, ensuring our programs continue to inspire generations of dance enthusiasts worldwide.
Services
Ballet Performances
Dance Education
Professional Training
Cultural Exchange
Arts Funding
Details
- Year established: 2000
Highlights and features
- Founded in 2000 with a proven legacy of dance excellence
- Led by award-winning choreographer and educator Dr. Chiara Ajkun
- Offers H-3 visa-accredited trainee programs for international dancers
- Presents performances across 27 countries annually
- Maintains rigorous health and safety standards through the Well-Being Unit
What people say
Life-changing experience
Exceptional training programs
World-class performances
Services
Ballet Performances
Presenting classical masterpieces and contemporary works, our performances showcase world-class dancers in venues across New York City and international tour locations. Each production combines artistic vision with technical precision through collaborations with renowned choreographers and international artists. Our seasonal calendar includes iconic ballets like The Nutcracker and original works that push creative boundaries.
Dance Education
Offering year-round and intensive programs for ages 3-28, our curriculum develops future dance professionals through the science-based Ajkun Methodology. Students receive personalized instruction from industry experts while gaining performance experience with our professional company. Programs include pre-professional tracks, summer intensives, and international study tours.
AjkunBT Fund
This philanthropic initiative provides financial aid, mentorship, and career development resources to dancers and choreographers from diverse backgrounds. Through need-based grants and professional networking opportunities, we support over 150 artists annually across 76 countries, helping them achieve their artistic and career goals.
Professional Training
Our trainee programs prepare dancers for global careers through rigorous technical training and real-world performance experience. Participants learn the company's exclusive repertory while accessing New York City's performing arts network, with visa-accredited pathways for international artists seeking professional growth opportunities.
Cultural Exchange
Facilitating international collaboration through dance tours, workshops, and exchange programs, we connect artists across five continents. Our initiatives promote cross-cultural understanding through joint productions, masterclasses with global artists, and educational partnerships that highlight dance as a universal language.
People
Chiara Ajkun
Artistic Director
Award-winning choreographer and educator with 40+ years of experience, Dr. Ajkun has created over 50 ballets performed in 27 countries. A former principal dancer with major companies, she developed the Ajkun Methodology and established the AjkunBT Fund to support emerging artists globally.
Questions
What makes Ajkun Ballet Theatre unique?
We combine professional performance, elite education through the Ajkun Methodology™, and global cultural exchange under one organization, led by internationally recognized Artistic Director Dr. Chiara Ajkun.
How can students join the ballet school?
Students can audition at our global open calls or submit video applications for programs ranging from children's classes to professional trainee tracks with H-3 visa options.
Do you offer financial assistance?
The AjkunBT Fund provides need-based financial aid annually to over 150 dancers, students, and choreographers from 76 countries through grants and mentorship programs.
Where are performances held?
Our New York performances take place at the Midtown Manhattan theatre, with international tours in Europe, Asia, Australia, and beyond across 27 countries annually.
Is the company accessible to diverse communities?
Our A Ticket To Dream program provides complimentary tickets to underserved communities while offering free performances in hospitals and public schools across New York City.
Reviews (5)
Kelly W.
Sep 20, 2021
Report
Had the joy of attending "Swan Lake" at The Egg (Empire State Plaza performing arts facility) this year. What a fantastic performance. Not exactly being any expert on ballet, I will say that the show was very professional and tastefully done. I did observe that the production was all about the extraordinary skill of the dancers; there was no distraction of glitzy lighting or thunderous soundtrack... it was a performance of purity and beauty in motion. Absolutely worth it!!
Smitha Mathew
Sep 04, 2021
Report
Ajkun Ballet gave our 12 yr old daughter an unique opportunity to dance with their professional company as part of their Young dancers summer program in their first post COVID performance of Swan Lake. She got to dance in different prestigious theaters in Albany, NY and New York City. It exposed her to much, including working with a professional company, talents at the utmost level, and dancers from and all over the world. The company itself have dancers from all over the world including Japan, England, Brazil, Albania, Italy, South Korea. They also bring in chosen youngsters from all over the
Ramona V.
Apr 16, 2017
Report
Words cannot express what a prolific and moving experience I had watching such an amazing performance put on by the The Ajkun Ballet Theatre. The interpretation of Anna Karenina brought to life on stage was breathtaking. I highly recommend this ballet to everyone.
New York N.
Nov 12, 2016
Report
Went to see Ajkun Ballet of Dracula on Friday 28 October. I too didn't get the performance and wouldn't recommend going to this one. I was waiting for a friend inside close to the box office and the place kinda smelled awful and there were kids everywhere before we went downstairs to claim our seat.
Mary B.
Nov 09, 2016
Report
Holy cow- so bad. I went to a performance by the Ajkun Ballet of Dracula. This was horrible from start to finish. The set was mostly lights and a blank stage, which can work fine to highlight the dancers. Unfortunately many of them are clearly not trained ballet dancers. Timing was very off and many of them seemed out of shape. The props were hideous. They had a meal scene at one point where they brought out a blow up turkey. Why not scratch that?! They also used swords that were plastic and bent during the fighting scenes ruining all of the climax moments. I will say about 2 of the dancers were
