Dear Dance Colleagues,

The 9th National High School Dance Festival will be held Thursday, March 13 through Sunday, March 16, 2008 at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA. The Festival is presented by the NHSDF organization in conjunction with The University of the Arts and Artists Exchange International. The four-day Festival will welcome over 1,500 students in grades 9-12 representing their high school. Note that Private studios are not eligible to attend.

The Festival is four days of sharing, learning, performing and dancing with friends and colleagues from across the nation as well as abroad. Along with exciting Opening and Closing Ceremonies, the Festival will feature six Adjudicated Concerts (two evening Gala concerts, two late afternoon Showcase concerts and two mid-day informal concerts). The first Showcase Concert will feature student choreography, where a Festival committee will honor our most talented student(s) with the Outstanding Student Choreography Award.

The Festival also offers a full day of Scholarship Auditions, over 300 Master Classes in subject areas including ballet, modern, jazz, tap, hip hop, musical theater, salsa, African, Pilates, Massage, Stretch, Injury Prevention, Nutrition and more. In addition, there will be Commercial Exhibitors and Special Interest Workshops for faculty and students. An outstanding nationally and internationally renowned Festival Faculty waits to inspire you. Live music will add an exciting element to the classes.

Your most talented junior and senior students (and some sophomores) will have the opportunity to register for Scholarship Audition classes, in hopes of being awarded summer scholarships to prestigious schools and festivals as well as scholarships to Colleges and Universities. Over $250,000 in scholarships were offered at the 8th National High School Dance Festival in 2006.

The University of the Arts is located in the heart of Center City Philadelphia, where theaters, restaurants, and shops are in abundance and close by. All classes, performances and auditions will be held at the University of the Arts. Its studios and theaters are all within a short walking distance from Festival hotels. Whether it's the Liberty Bell, Betsy Ross House, Philadelphia Art Museum, the Phillies or the Philly cheese steak sandwich, Philadelphia has a history, diversity and cultural zest that artists find extremely appealing. Historic parks and neighborhoods are scattered throughout the city. The country's oldest residential street is in Philadelphia, along with more public sculpture and mural art than in any other major U.S. city.

Because we anticipate heavy enrollment, we strongly encourage you to register your school early. Initial Festival Registration deadline is November 16, 2007. Deadline for Full Festival Registration (i.e. students, faculty and chaperones) is January 16, 2008.

Registration will be accepted on a first come, first paid basis. If you wish to bring more than 25 students, you will be placed on a wait list, which will be opened after January 16, 2008.

The National Festival is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the talent of our students and the quality of the dance programs that exist in high schools across our nation. We welcome the challenges of bringing the 9th National High School Dance Festival to you and look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

Susan B. Glazer, Director of Dance, The University of the Arts School of Dance
Kathryn F. Kearns, Ed.D., Executive Director, The National High School Dance Festival

Click for important dates and registration forms

The 9th annual National High School Dance Festival will be hosted by The University of the Arts School of Dance and presented by the NHSDF organization in conjunction with UArts, Penn State Abington, and Artists Exchange International. The five-day festival will be limited to 1500 students in grades 9-12 representing their high school. Private studios are not eligible to attend.

The 2008 festival will feature

• Over 200 Master Classes
• Scholarship Auditions
• Special Interest Workshops
• Internationally Renowned Faculty
• Commericial Exhibitors
• Adjudicated Showcase and Gala Perfomances in the beautiful Merriam Theater
• Outstanding Student Choreography Awards
• Opening and closing ceremonies for all festival participants

Registration fees:

• School registration $225, non-refundable, includes two teachers/chaperones
• Student Registration $105
• Additional Teachers and Chaperones $75
• Adjudication $25, per work reviewed

Hotel Accommodation:

Hotels range from $99-209/night plus 14% tax (1-4 persons/room) Click here for local hotel contact information.

For further information, contact

Dr. Kathryn Kearns
NHSDF Executive Director/Festival Co-Coordinator
Penn State Abington, Abington College
1600 Woodland Road
Abington, PA 19001
Phone 215.848.7576
Fax 215.881.7450
kfk2@psu.edu

Tara Keating
NHSDF Festival Associate
The University of the Arts
320 South Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Phone 215.717.6112
Fax 215.717.6109
tkeating@uarts.edu