About the Boys’ Scholarship Program

The Boys’ Scholarship Program provides tuition-free dance training in all-male classes designed to enhance athletic skills, motor intelligence, balance, flexibility and strength. Approximately 55 boys ages 7–18 enroll each year to study beginning, intermediate, advanced ballet and partnering with distinguished male dancers who serve as teachers and role models, while addressing boys’ unique movement and learning styles.

Metropolitan Ballet Company holds auditions for its Boys’ Scholarship Dance Program in June each year. Click HERE to read more about the Boys’ Scholarship Program audition process and policies.

No prior dance experience or pre-registration is required for the audition. Please call the Metropolitan office to discuss your interest at 215-663-1665. 

Why Dance?
Met’s Boys’ Scholarship Program provides tuition-free dance training in all-male classes. Met helps boys develop self-confidence, strong bodies, and creative minds. Here, they find supportive mentors and build life-long friendships.

“I look forward to every class. In addition to gaining strength in dance, our boys mature and flourish as human beings, and thrive within the trust and friendships they cultivate. Each has his own unique sense of humor, and every class is an adventure! Through the rigors of ballet training, our MET MEN gain confidence and good work habits that follow them in everything they do.”
— Daniel Mayo, Men’s Faculty
(formerly BalletX, Juilliard & Dad of two boys!)

Each year, about 50 boys are enrolled (ages 7-11 & 12-17). Our “Met Men” also enjoy performance opportunities in the fall, winter, and spring. Classical dance training sharpens the mind and builds tenacity and time management skills. And, it’s fun!

What are the Results?
We are thrilled for our alumni who are dancing with important Ballet and Contemporary companies across the country. AND, we are equally proud of our Met Men who are working hard in college, with many headed for STEM careers. One alumni who danced professionally for several years is now enrolled in law school. He shared that his ballet training was a distinguishing factor on his college and law school admissions applications.

 

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Metropolitan’s Boys’ Scholarship Program faculty includes lead faculty Daniel Mayo, a former dancer with BalletX and a Juilliard graduate. Boys in the Scholarship Program also enjoy classes taught by guest artists in modern, jazz and character dance, and diverse performing opportunities with Metropolitan Ballet Company, the pre-professional performing company affiliated with Metropolitan Ballet Academy.

The Program was created by Metropolitan Ballet founder and Artistic Director Lisa Collins Vidnovic in 1999 as a way to make ballet accessible to boys in the greater Philadelphia region. Over 300 boys have participated in the Program to date, and several Program alumni have successfully pursued professional careers in dance, earning summer scholarships to regional intensive ballet programs and performing with companies nationwide. Whether boys are bound for a career in dance, musical theater, figure skating, gymnastics or team sports, all enjoy the opportunity to study dance in an all-male atmosphere from truly great teachers.

Metropolitan Ballet Company’s boys are consistently recognized for their soloist and ensemble performances at Youth America Grand Prix and have performed at Regional Dance America festivals and numerous community-based performances since 2001.  Many have been accepted into prestigious summer and year-round dance training programs both nationally and internationally, at American Ballet Theatre, School of American Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Royal Ballet School in London, National Ballet of Canada, Boston Ballet, Houston Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, The Juilliard School, The Ailey School, Harid Conservatory, Kirov Academy, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Orlando Ballet, and Atlanta Ballet.

Alumni of the Boys’ Scholarship Dance Program have been accepted into company, apprentice, second company and trainee positions at New York City Ballet, Boston Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, Colorado Ballet, Washington Ballet, Milwaukee Ballet, Joffrey Chicago Ballet, American Repertory Ballet, First State Ballet, North Carolina Dance Theatre, State Street Ballet, Ballet Austin, BodyVox, and Minnesota Dance Theatre.

The Boys’ Scholarship Program is an outreach program of Metropolitan Ballet Company, and proudly supported by grants from the Loeb Performing Arts Fund of The Philadelphia Foundation and by many generous gifts from individuals. Metropolitan Ballet Company is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

The Metropolitan Ballet Company Boys’ Scholarship Program welcomes your support. To learn how you can become a corporate or individual sponsor of Metropolitan Ballet Company, or to arrange for matching funds donated by your workplace, please contact Lisa Collins Vidnovic at 215.663.1665. Contributions are tax-deductible. Thank you for your support.