Miami-Dade Middle Schoolers Excel in AileyCamp's Artistic Summer Program

Jazz, ballet, West African dance, and personal development converge at AileyCamp Miami, a six-week summer program hosted at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts. This initiative provides a nurturing environment for Miami-Dade County public middle school students.

"It is really a program of the community. It is fully free, so all our campers are on full scholarship," stated Jairo Ontiveros, vice president of art education at the Arsht Center. "They get daily transportation to and from breakfast, lunch, and all of their uniforms. They perform on the stages of the Arsht."

Since launching in 2009, AileyCamp has welcomed over 1,600 students. "Every summer we welcome about 100 to 110 middle schoolers here from Miami-Dade County to experience six weeks of free summer programming," Ontiveros added. "We bus in students from all across Miami-Dade County, ages 11 to 14, allowing them to explore their identities and expand their horizons."

Among the program's success stories is Wesley Wray, a 20-year-old Miami native currently performing in the Tony Award-winning musical "Buena Vista Social Club." Wray began his journey at AileyCamp at age 12.

"When I was there it was just treated with so much love," Wray reflected. "I think that was what cultivated me and inspired me to keep doing this because of the love that I was receiving from it."

In 2023, Wesley returned as a camp leader and teaching artist, eager to inspire the next generation. "Receiving the love back is something so special with the kids, and they loved it. I was also learning with them," he noted. "I think that's what brought us together is the fact that I'm still learning as well."

Ontiveros highlighted Wesley as a testament to the program's influence. "Wesley is that prime example of how a community can come together and really elevate and boost a young person into chasing their dreams," he remarked. "He will be a prime example for our campers to look up to, and that's just so inspiring."

When asked who aspired to perform on Broadway, enthusiastic campers responded with a resounding chorus of "me!"

The program's benefits extend beyond dance training. One student shared, "Being here has helped me be more social and speak openly more." Another camper expressed gratitude: "It's so amazing how we're offered all these opportunities and we're able to be with these amazing teachers and get better at our craft."

AileyCamp Miami culminates in a grand free performance at the Arsht Center's Knight Concert Hall, with the next show scheduled for July 26, 2025.

For more stories or to share your experiences, reach out at MiamiProud@cbs.com.