Scholarships

Every weekend, our goal is to assist dancers in recognizing the broad spectrum of opportunities available – far beyond the lessons of the convention dance floor. Our numerous Scholarships and Special Opportunities offer unique and important ‘next steps’ for our dancers. Our many sponsors and partners represent a diverse cross-section of the professional dance community. Additionally, the prestigious NYCDA Outstanding Dancer Program is always a highlight of every convention weekend. This allows dancers to qualify for our National Scholarship Program in NYC. Ask anyone who has ever participated…. ’there is nothing like it’!

We are proud of our continued support from the professional dance community and are excited to make these opportunities available to 'our kids'. Take a look at the growing list of opportunities available to YOUR dancers – awarded every weekend:

NYCDA OUTSTANDING ARTIST - NEW!

Each weekend, NYCDA will be searching for one Outstanding Artist. This dancer has undeniable talent, professionalism, and passion. Selected by the faculty, the Outstanding Artist is a true standout, ready to be introduced to pre-professional and professional experiences. Once chosen, NYCDA will utilize its industry resources to curate a unique opportunity within the professional dance world - specific to the Outstanding Artist’s strengths and interests. We are excited to introduce our new Outstanding Artist Award for the 2022-2023 season and eager to share these artists with the world!

  • One dancer per weekend - any age
  • Fully registered for the workshop (cannot be a college student)
  • Cannot be an independent dancer - studio affiliation required
  • The dancer is not required to compete.
  • Can be received in combination with any other awards or scholarships

This prestigious recognition will include:

  • A professional industry opportunity or referral
  • Auto-acceptance to an NYCDA Intensive
  • 5 virtual professional classes at Steps on Broadway
  • NYCDA Outstanding Artist Sweatshirt
  • $50 NYCDA Merch credit
  • 30-minute mentoring session with an NYCDA faculty member, Steps faculty member, or NYCDA assistant of your choice. (Does not have to be in-person. All subject to scheduling.)

STEPS ON BROADWAY

Steps on Broadway is a world-renowned professional dance studio in NYC, recently coming under the leadership of Joe Lanteri, who is now Executive Director of Steps on Broadway. Many of our faculty members on their faculty as well. With our enhanced partnership, Steps will be offering a number of scholarships each weekend:

  • A 2-year Conservatory Program $2,500 Award geared toward dancers ages 17+ planning on entering the concert or commercial dancer world. (up to 3 SENIORS per weekend) **This award cannot be combined with any other award or scholarship.

BALLET HISPANICO

We are excited about our NEW partnership with NYC's BALLET HISPANICO.

  • Summer Intensive Scholarship $1,000 Award (One TEEN or SENIOR per weekend) **This award cannot be combined with any other award or scholarship.
  • ChoreoLab Scholarship $500 Award (One Senior per weekend) **This award cannot be combined with any other award or scholarship.

BODYTRAFFIC

We are excited about our continuing partnership with the LA-based company BODYTRAFFIC- half of the current company members are NYCDA Alumni! BODYTRAFFIC has (2) two-week Summer Intensives hosted in brand new studios at Santa Monica College in California.

COMPLEXIONS

Under the direction of Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson, Complexions seeks to educate the complete dancer-participants experience techniques designed to cultivate and develop strong, well-trained dancers who are educated to perform more skillfully and creatively.

  • Academy Intensive $500 Award, cosponsored by the NYCDA College Scholarship Foundation. (One TEEN or SENIOR per weekend) **This award cannot be combined with any other award or scholarship.

HUBBARD STREET DANCE CHICAGO

Under the Artistic Direction of Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago is one of the most original forces in contemporary dance. Hubbard Street’s Summer Intensive Programs are committed to welcoming people of all backgrounds in a unique and diverse training experience through various class curricula, creative thinking, and risk-taking. HSDC's TEEN Intensive is a three-week program catered towards dancers ages 13 – 17.

PERIDANCE

Peridance is a professional dance school located in NYC, which has its own dance company/ensemble. Each weekend, NYCDA will select three dancers to be recipients of scholarships to Peridance's summer programs.

BROADWAY DANCE CENTER

Broadway Dance Center is a well-known NYCDA professional studio. NEW this season, NYCDA will be awarding Scholarships to their summer intensives.

PERRY MANSFIELD PERFORMING ARTS SCHOOL

NYCDA Intensive "Standout" Awards

  • Each weekend a select number of TEEN or SENIOR dancers will be automatically accepted into the NYCDA Winter Technique & Summer Pre-Professional Intensives. Dancers must demonstrate their versatility and work ethic throughout the convention weekend. The Summer Intensive is also open to ALL dancers ages 13-19. (TEEN or SENIOR)

NYCDA Junior Intensive "Standout" Awards

  • Each weekend a select number of JUNIOR dancers will be automatically accepted into the NYCDA Summer and Winter Junior Intensives. Dancers must demonstrate their versatility and work ethic throughout the convention weekend. The Junior Dance Intensive is also open to ALL dancers ages 10-12. (MINI or JUNIOR)

NYCDA Winter Contemporary Intensive Award

  • NYCDA is proud to host a one-week winter contemporary/concert dance intensive in NYC for dancers ages 16-21, led by Artistic Director Alexandra Damiani. Each weekend one dancer will be awarded automatic acceptance into the Winter Contemporary Intensive. (SENIOR)

NYCDA Foundation Rising Star Award

  • Each weekend, the NYCDA Faculty each selects one "Rising Star" dancer- acknowledging the dancer that demonstrates talent, potential, hard work, and a joyful attitude in class. NEW for 2022-23, The Rising Star award consists of a $200 scholarship for one of our NYCDA Intensives. **This award cannot be combined with any other award or scholarship.

NYCDA Future Star Scholarships

  • Each weekend a select group of dancers with outstanding potential are awarded a Regional Convention Scholarship.

NYCDA Class "Standout" Scholarships

  • Each weekend a select number of dancers will be hand-picked directly by our faculty to receive NYCDA Regional Convention Scholarships. Dancers will be selected for their talents demonstrated in the ballet, tap, and/or hip-hop classes.

All eligible registered Workshop dancers Including dancers registered as independents) will be considered for the above-listed scholarship opportunities, including Regional Convention Scholarships, Sponsorships, and Awards. Independent Dancers are not eligible to audition for the separate Outstanding Dancer Scholarships. Selection is based on faculty observations throughout the weekend, no separate audition is required. Only dancers wearing audition numbers will be considered.

Scholarship awards are not transferable unless both teachers (previous and current) consent. If a dancer switches studios, they must provide written permission to NYCDA from their previous studio to utilize previously won scholarships. Regional Scholarship Winners and Runner Ups must attend Nationals as the same studio they won their Scholarship regionally - unless permission has been granted by all studios involved.