The New York Dance Festival is sponsored by the New York Institute of Dance but attendees are in for more than a rendition of “Swan Lake.”

The Auburn-based facility is sponsoring the annual festival that will run from Monday, through Sunday, July 22.

Much like the institute itself, the festival pulls together a variety of arts, from African drumming to musicals.

The event will have four features: The New York Summer Dance Intensive, the New York Drum Festival, the New York Musical Theater Project and a World Class Dance Concert Series.

NYIDE president Sean McLeod realized his career has provided him a great network of teachers and former classmates, who were on the cutting edge of dance.

“No one teacher knows it all,” he said.

He created the New York dance festival so he could call all these world renowned dancers so that he could compare himself.

“I first created it to bring the best of the world to learn from them,” McLeod said.

This year's New York Musical Theater Project will perform “Footloose!”

The days start with ballet and modern dance technique. Then, students learn acting, vocal performance, dramatic study and musical theater dance.

The festival offers unlimited access to master teachers and professionals, and also offers a chance for students to make connections.

Guest lecturers, a gala event, two-week dance packages, musical theater and dance performances make up the festival.

Staff writer Jessica Soule can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 267 or at jessica.soule@lee.net

If you go: 2007 World-Class Concert Series Auburn lineup

Song and Dance Man Gala

A night of Broadway performances and formal dinner included.

7 p.m. Thursday, July 12 at the Owasco Country Club, 6750 E. Lake Road

Night of 1,000 Drums

Featuring: Yewande Austin, Jim Donovan, Drum the Ecstatic International and Music from a Black Man's Songbook

Staring Rick Van Horn, senior editor for Modern Drummer Magazine

8 p.m. Saturday, July 14

NYIDE Auditorium, 93 North St.

Standing in the Spotlight: An evening of musical theater

New York style talent show with singing and acting

8 p.m. Friday, July 20

NYIDE Auditorium

A Day in Dance

Dance Festival intensive students perform new dance works, and the teachers perform in the second half.

8 p.m. Saturday, July 21

NYIDE Auditorium

To learn more on the NYIDE or the other events outside of Auburn during its festival, visit the office at 93 North St. in Auburn, call 252-4420 or visit www.nyide.com