The school has been using three wireless IP phones over its new Wi-Fi network to allow staff to move freely into areas of the buildings where cellular wireless does not work, said Larry Beevers, a former professional ballet dancer who is now head of property and operations for the renowned dance school.

"We built a new building and didn't want to lose anybody in it," he said in an interview last week. "We have three basement floors and 11 upper floors with 12 dance studios. There are maintenance shops and electrical rooms and chiller rooms where you can't use a cell phone."

Since early this year, the wireless voice system has been working well over the Wi-Fi network, although not inside elevators, Beevers said. He might install a wireless access point inside the elevator shafts to see if that improves the connection, he said.

One benefit of the IP-based technology is that fixed IP phones can be used to call for help in an emergency, with the call routed to a staffer carrying one of the wireless phones, he said. Other IP-based innovations include a laser data link between buildings, flat-screen panel displays in school hallways that flash voice mail alerts to students, and a voice switch that is a hybrid between IP and traditional circuit-switched voice technology, Beevers said.

Part of the motivation to try the new technology is the school's international reputation for excellence, he said. "We wanted all our technology, from phones to computers to HVAC, to be top-notch. People look to us for how we do things on stage, so we felt the same about the buildings, with visitors coming here from around the world. We wanted them to have a good feeling," Beevers said.