èßäAV

Curated by Artistic Lead, Hope Boykin, this two-week program for pre-professional high school dancers entering grades 9-12 in Fall 2025 features: Ballet and modern technique with master teachers, master classes with renowned instructors, creativity and choreography labs, workshops in dance wellness and injury prevention, financial literacy and resume writing, intimate conversations with dance industry professionals, discussions about critical issues in dance and the role of “Citizen Artistry,” a mock audition with artistic directors and faculty from the nation’s top performing arts conservatories, college preparedness panels, opportunities to collaborate and create work with other students, partnering, and more!

With a focus on strengthened technique, increased versatility, and informed decision making in dance careers, this program’s participants will leave with:

• A dance health and injury prevention plan
• An artistic statement and goals for continued training
• Individualized feedback from master teachers
• Industry connections
• Expanded knowledge of possibilities and opportunities in the dance field
• Unique opportunity for a full set of headshots and audition photos shot and edited by a professional photographer

With a focus on supporting the needs of 21st Century students and cultivating the skills of 21st Century artists, the Kennedy Center pre-professional artist training programs are committed to nurturing the emerging visionaries who are the future change-makers and culture-shapers. As an integral part of Kennedy Center Education’s mission to foster understanding and uplift communities, each program provides a space where young artists will explore the intersection of artistic practice and civic responsibility, engaging the world as Citizen Artists.

High school students who are seriously considering pursuing dance in college and as a career, currently engaged in pre-professional dance training, and interested in connecting their artistic work to leadership and service are strongly encouraged to apply.

You might find it helpful to review a sample schedule.

Photos by Rosalie O'Connor

Photo credit Steve Vaccariello

“As Artistic Lead for Kennedy Center Dance Lab (KCDL), I have aligned my mission with that of the Kennedy Center’s Education Division. We guide and promote Citizen Artistry empowering young dancers who create and move through our program. We encourage a full and well-rounded understanding of how best to use art, not just as a weapon for change, but a foundation for their future lives; lives that will impact and raise awareness, directing their unique voices toward leadership.”

Application and Auditions

Program Application

In addition to submitting audition videos, application requirements include two short essays, one letter of recommendation, and a $25 application fee. 

Please note: Dancers must be entering grades 9-12 in Fall of 2025 in order to be eligible for the summer 2025 program. Dancers are permitted to participate in the Kennedy Center Dance Lab a maximum of two summers. Exceptions will be evaluated on a case by case basis. 

Audition Requirements

Applications are open through Friday, March 14, 2025. All dancers must attend the live in-person audition at the Kennedy Center with Hope Boykin on Sunday, March 16, 2025 or confirm a virtual audition option. For more information about a virtual audition please contact [email protected]

Tuition, Housing, & Scholarships

Tuition for the 2025 program is $1,200.

Housing for the 2025 program is $1,400.

We encourage students and their families to find their own local housing for the duration of the program. In the event that is not an option for you, please contact us so we may discuss alternative options.

Kennedy Center Dance Lab understands that the cost of training can be difficult for low and middle-income families. KCDL is committed to working with students and families to make high-level dance education affordable for all, regardless of their financial situation. If the tuition or housing costs are prohibitive, please indicate your interest in financial assistance in your application. Scholarships, fee waivers, and other support are available to any student accepted to our program. We will be glad to work with you on an individual basis. Contact [email protected] with questions.

The International Association of Blacks in Dance had an integral role in developing the KCDL program. . If you or your studio has a membership affiliation with IABD, please indicate in your application so we may apply a tuition discount.

Application Requirements

In addition to an audition, dancers must fill out the online application for and submit additional materials which include:

• Two short essays discussing the following:
• How would you define a “Citizen Artist?” (100 word maximum)
• How do you believe dance is world-changing? (250-300 word maximum)
• Short videos that include:
• Introduction (Please follow the script below exactly, inserting your personal information)

My name is ______. I am ___ years old, am from _________, and have danced for _____ years. Dance is important to me because __________.

• As a continuation of your answer to essay question #2, please record yourself answering, How can you be a part of the dance changing the world as you described? (1 minute limit)
• Finally, submit 1-2 minutes of improvisation. (Please do NOT submit a previously choreographed work, we simply want to see you move). 
• Letter of Recommendation: Applications must include one letter of recommendation from a teacher. Students are responsible for communicating with their teacher to ensure that the recommendation is received within three days of the application deadline. The application will prompt you to enter email contact information for your recommender, who will then receive instructions.
• $25 Application Fee: The $25 application fee can be paid via credit card or debit card. While these methods are strongly preferred, please contact program staff for other options if they are not feasible for you.

Accessibility

èßäAVwelcomes all applicants. If you have questions about accessibility or accommodations, you may contact the Office of Accessibility directly at (202) 416-8727 (voice) or [email protected].

Photos by Rosalie O'Connor

Two time “Bessie Award” winner, Hope Boykin was an original member of Complexions, danced with PHILIDANCO!, and completed 20 years with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Hope has choreographed for numerous dance companies including PHILIDANCO!, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Minnesota Dance Theatre, BalletX, Eisenhower Dance Detroit, Ballet Black of London, American Ballet Theatre Studio Company, The Philadelphia Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and has created three works for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

Along with many commissions including Vail Dance Festival, Hope has choreographed and co-directed for Off-Broadway and regional theater, including a Cornelia Street for the Atlantic Theater Company in New York City.

Hope has garnered much acclaim with her virtual work for Carolina Performing Arts, Guggenheim Works & Process Virtual Commissions initiative, and the National Black Theatre. As a motivator, Hope has been an annual keynote speaker for Lincoln Center Activate, a national education forum, which has included a special Weekend With Hope, a series of talks with friends and dance industry professionals, discussing crucial topics in our dance world.As a director and dance-maker Hope received a grant from the Mellon Foundation for her own Covid Safe residency #BoykinBubble and in the fall of 2021 premiered a full evening of her choreography, An Evening of Hope at 92nd Street Y in New York City, to much acclaim. In 2022, Hope choreographed and directed The Other Side, bringing Jacqueline Woodson’s children’s book of the same name, to life for the Kennedy Center’s Family Theater as well as joining the creative team as choreographer of the Kennedy Center’s 50th Anniversary Celebration of Leonard Bernstein’s MASS.

Hope serves as Artistic Advisor for Dance Education for the Kennedy Center and Artistic Lead for the Kennedy Center Dance Lab. She is Artist-In-Residence at USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance and was advisor for the Howard University Department of Dance for their 2021 spring semester. She is currently a 2022-23 Fellow of The Center for Ballet and the Arts.

Hope continues to build on her work, as a writer and filmmaker; blending her words and cadence as a the foundation of her developing movement-language. She released “Beauty Size & Color” a short film commenting on what has changed in the first twenty years of the 21st century on , which was most recently nominated for a 2023 NY Emmy Award, presented a weekend of her own work, Moments By Hope, … a concert, in fall of 2022, and is featured on the October 2023 cover of Dance Magazine in recognition of her achievements as an educator, creator, mover, and motivator. Most recently Hope premiered States of Hope, a fully scripted evening length dance theater work at the Joyce Theater in New York City.

Hope firmly believes there are no limits.

Kennedy Center Education

The Vice President of Education is generously endowed by the

Generous support for educational programs at the Kennedy Center is provided by the U.S. Department of Education.

Gifts and grants to educational programs at the Kennedy Center are provided by The Paul M. Angell Family Foundation; Bank of America; Capital One; The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation; Carnegie Corporation of New York; The Ednah Root Foundation; Harman Family Foundation; William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust; the Kimsey Endowment; The Kiplinger Foundation; Laird Norton Family Foundation; Lois and Richard England Family Foundation; Dr. Gary Mather and Ms. Christina Co Mather; The Markow Totevy Foundation; Dr. Gerald and Paula McNichols Foundation; The Morningstar Foundation; Myra and Leura Younker Endowment Fund; The Irene Pollin Audience Development and Community Engagement Initiatives;

Prince Charitable Trusts; Dr. Deborah Rose and Dr. Jan A. J. Stolwijk; Rosemary Kennedy Education Fund; The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates; The Victory Foundation; The Volgenau Foundation; Volkswagen Group of America; Jackie Washington; GRoW @ Annenberg and Gregory Annenberg Weingarten and Family; Wells Fargo; and generous contributors to the Abe Fortas Memorial Fund and by a major gift to the fund from the late Carolyn E. Agger, widow of Abe Fortas. Additional support is provided by the National Committee for the Performing Arts..

The content of these programs may have been developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education but does not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education. You should not assume endorsement by the federal government.