Bridge Scholarship Program
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 Bridge Scholarship program is need-based, supporting training at PBT School for talented young students who demonstrate financial eligibility. The program awards scholarships at an annual audition.
Next Audition: Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, 6 – 7 p.m.
Register by: January 14, 2026
Age Requirement: Auditioning students must be between 7 and 9 years old as of September 1, 2026.
Process: From the audition, up to 15 students will be selected by a panel of PBT School educators to participate in a PBT School Bridge Scholarship Preparatory Class. The PBT School Bridge Scholarship Preparatory Class will meet two days per week, on Thursdays from 4:30-5:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:45-11:45 a.m. starting February 5 and running until April 25, 2026. The selected students must be available to attend the entire semester of the PBT School Bridge Scholarship Preparatory Class. After the semester-long class, seven students will then be selected to receive a three-year PBT School Bridge Scholarship beginning in the Fall of 2026.
Please fill out the below application to register for the audition class by January 14, 2026. To fill out this application, please attach your most recent Income Tax Return (1040 or international equivalent) form.
Eligibility for financial aid will be determined based on the U.S. Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines. We will only consider aid for households whose income is less than 135% of the poverty guidelines for their household size.
IMPORTANT: by submitting this form, and checking the box below, you agree to the following:
- You declare that, to the best of your knowledge, all information in this application is true and correct.
- You understand that financial aid is limited and that submitting an application does not guarantee a financial aid award. Available aid is limited.
- You understand that in addition to the audition class, the dancer, if selected, must attend the Bridge Scholarship Preparatory class as listed above.
Please contact pbtschool@pittsburghballet.org with any questions.
Make a Difference
Established in 2013 by the PBT Education team and PBT School, the Bridge Scholarship (formerly known as 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 7 to 9 – a pivotal stage to begin ballet training. PBT has awarded 98 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.