Community Youth Scholarship Program

The Community Youth Scholarship program awards scholarships to eligible students ages 5 – 9 years old to attend Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School for ballet education and training.

PBT is committed to increasing equity, access and opportunity in the art of ballet. We strive to make PBT, PBT School and the art form more widely accessible to students and their families throughout the Pittsburgh region. Our Community Youth Scholarship program is need-based, supporting training for talented students who demonstrate financial eligibility.

2024 Community Youth Scholarship Placement Day!

Wednesday, May 1, 2024, 5:30 p.m.

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Studios, 2900 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh  15201

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Education Department and PBT School invite boys and girls ages 5-9 to receive a scholarship for the 2024 – 2025 school year! Students must demonstrate financial need to be eligible for scholarship funds. No prior dance experience is required.

At Placement Day students will take a dance class for evaluation while parents / caregivers attend a presentation to learn about ballet, PBT and the scholarship program.

Attire for students: fitted, athletic clothing, such as a leotard and tights, or opaque leggings and a t-shirt. Socks or ballet shoes are recommended (no outside shoes or bare feet). Hair should be pulled up and secured away from the face.

Classes begin this summer! Students can take a dance camp at Hope Academy for the Arts during the week of June 17 or August 12, 2024.

Register for Placement Day!

For more information please contact education@pittsburghballet.org or (412) 454-9109.

Scholarship Fast Facts!

Who is the scholarship for? Children ages 5 to 9 years old. Students must be between 5 and 9 years old as of Sept. 1, 2024. Students should have:

  • talent for training in ballet and other dance styles
  • desire, commitment and discipline to study dance in a training academy
  • ability to get to and from classes on a regular basis

Where will my student take class?

Summer camp and the first year of PBT training will take place at PBT’s satellite location at Hope Academy for the Arts at East Liberty Presbyterian Church. After the first year students will be evaluated for continued training at PBT studios in the Strip District.

How do I determine if my child is eligible/demonstrates financial need?

For your child to be eligible for the scholarship, your family must be eligible for one of the programs listed below or must meet 135% of the income level eligibility for free and reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch Program. 

PBT Income Level Eligibility for 2024/2025

Household Size Income Limit
2 $51,048
3 $64,485
4 $77,922
5 $91,358
6 $104,795
7 $118,231
8 $131,668

Caregivers must provide proof of income eligibility prior to the audition. Acceptable documentation includes:

  • federal income tax return for 2023 (pages 1 and 2 only)

OR

  • Confirmation of eligibility for one of the following:
    • Section 8 Housing
    • WIC
    • SNAP
    • Medical Assistance from PA
    • Cash Assistance from PA
    • Assistance from LIHEAP 1 or 2
    • Refugee/Immigrant Assistance
    • Current unemployment eligibility
    • Eligibility for free and reduced price meals at your child’s school (does not apply to Pittsburgh Public Schools)

For more information, please contact education@pittsburghballet.org.

Make a Difference

Established in 2013 by the PBT Education team and PBT School, the Community Youth Scholarship program works to expose children to dance at an early age by providing need-based scholarships for young students with talent and drive. Scholarships focus on students from ages 5 to 9 – a pivotal stage to begin ballet training. PBT has awarded 86 scholarships to young dancers since the program’s inception.

Each scholarship covers year-round tuition, including summer training, as well as clothing, pointe shoes and any other costs incurred at PBT School. 

This program is made possible by a founding endowment fund from the Ladies Hospital Aid Society, among others, and by many individual donors who value the power of dance to enrich the lives of children. If you’re inspired to support this important cause, please visit us at the link below to make a difference today. 

SUPPORT SCHOLARSHIPS