Scholarships for Dance Students
Liberal Arts Education with a Dance Major
Whether a student's primary mode in dance calls for tap shoes or ballet slippers, there are a number of scholarships available. Each dance scholarship opportunity requires different things and some even require an audition. Scholarship funding comes from a variety of sources like corporations, foundations and colleges.
Corporate Funding for Dance
The American Harlequin Corporation, a manufacturing leader in dance flooring, offers several scholarships to deserving dance students. Students must be enrolled in a public or private dance program and be between the ages of fifteen and twenty-one to be eligible. Their dance instructors must nominate them for a scholarship. Scholarship winners are determined in a drawing. One individual will win a $5,000 scholarship while two more will win $3,000 scholarships. Three $2,000 scholarships, two $1,000 scholarships and twelve $500 scholarships are also up for grabs.
The Washington Post newspaper supports the arts through dance scholarships for college bound students in the Washington D.C. area as well Maryland and Virginia. Eligible students should apply for a scholarship when they are juniors in high school. They must have at least a 2.5 grade point average and write an essay about the impact of arts programs on society. In addition, applicants must submit a head shot and a video of their dance performance for committee review. Scholarship winners receive $1,500 which will be sent to their respective colleges where they must enroll as a full-time student.
Foundation Scholarships
The Isadora Duncan Dance Foundation offers both a full and part-time apprentice scholarship to deserving young dancers seeking training at the Isadora Duncan Dance Company. Apprenticeships are by invitation only through an audition process. Recipients of a partial apprentice scholarship receive partial tuition for all dance and training classes offered. Full apprentice scholarship recipients not only get to train with the dance company and receive full tuition for classes, they also have the opportunity to perform on stage with the dance company.
The American Tap Dance Foundation offers the Gregory Hines Youth Scholarship Fund aimed at tap students ages seven through nineteen. While younger students are targeted, some college bound students also receive scholarships for special training through the foundation. These scholarships typically cover only a portion of tuition. However, there are a few full scholarships awarded every year. Recipients of scholarships are based on talent as well as financial need.
The Dance Gallery Foundation in association with the Peter Sparling Dance Company in Michigan offers several scholarships to dance students. The foundation conducts master classes in dance as well as collaborates with numerous dance companies and other entities.
- The José Limón Scholarship is geared to male students wishing to study with the Dance Gallery Studio. Recipients of the scholarship are based on several aspects: financial need, commitment to the craft and dance abilities.
- The Margot Fonteyn Scholarship is for young female students who wish to study with the Dance Gallery Studio. Monetary awards are based on a dancer's technical abilities in dance as well as their commitment to the craft and financial need.
College Scholarships
George Mason University, in Virginia, has a Dance Department which offers several scholarship opportunities for its students. Their degree programs focus on choreography and modern dance performance as well as teaching.
- Dance Talent Scholarships range from $12,000 to $20,000 with funds broken down into $3,000 to $5,000 per year for a four year program. Typically two of these scholarships are awarded each year to incoming college freshman who display outstanding talent during auditions. To maintain renewal status, dance students must keep a 3.0 or better grade point average and fully contribute to performances and activities within the dance department.
- The Bette Carter Dance Award is a $1,000 scholarship for a full-time undergraduate dance student who is a resident of Virginia and is maintaining a 2.5 or better grade point average. The recipient of this scholarship must demonstrate financial need.
- The Friends of Dance Special Recognition Award is a $2,500 scholarship presented to a full-time undergraduate dance student and is chosen by the Department of Dance faculty. Some of the qualities the faculty looks for in a scholarship recipient are steady hard work, dedication and upbeat, constructive contributions to the various departmental activities.
- The Kevin Campbell Summer Scholarships assist dance students who continue their studies throughout the summer. These scholarships are geared towards students who are seeking summer study opportunities through various festivals and workshops with notable companies like Alvin Ailey Dance Company and the American Dance Festival. Scholarship amounts vary.
Alma College, a liberal arts school in Michigan has a dance department that offers several scholarship programs. Most of the available scholarships are for $1,500 per year and are based on financial need and accomplishment. Auditions are necessary to qualify.
- Performance scholarships are also available and are typically for new or transfer students. These monetary awards are based on an audition process as well as recommendations from the dance faculty. Award amounts vary because each one is based on level of accomplishment and commitment to the department of dance as well as desire to hone their craft. These are renewable and scholarship recipients are assessed at the end of each college year to determine renewal status.
