2025 National High School Dance Festival

Point Park to Host 2025 National High School Dance Festival

Point Park University is thrilled to host the National High School Dance Festival for the fifth time at our Downtown Pittsburgh campus February 26 to March 2, 2025. BODYTRAFFIC, a renowned Los Angeles-based dance company, will perform as part of the Opening Ceremonies.

The Festival welcomes high school age dancers from around the United States and abroad to participate in auditions, concerts and over 200 master classes and workshops. The festival is open ONLY to students currently enrolled in grades 9-12 at their high school. No private studios are eligible. 

What to Look Forward to at NHSDF 2025

• Opening Ceremonies at the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts with a performance by BODYTRAFFIC, a renowned Los Angeles-based dance company.
• Scholarship auditions for university/college dance programs and summer intensives  from across the country and abroad.
• Gala, Showcase, Embedded and Outstanding Student Choreography concerts featuring student performers.
• Over 200 master classes and workshops led by guest artists and professionals from prestigious schools across the nation in Point Park's state-of-the-art dance facilities. Classes may include modern, jazz, ballet, partnering, world dance, yoga, pilates and lots more.
• Workshops include topics covering the college admissions process, careers in arts management, business management, marketing for dance and performing arts, as well as creating and managing a professional dance company. 
• Closing Ceremonies at the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts where scholarships will be awarded to students, plus a few surprises.   
• Campus tours.

Hotel Reservations

Omni William Penn Hotel (book by January 27, 2025)
530 William Penn Place
Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Book online or call 1-800-THE-OMNI (reference National High School Dance Festival).
As of September 19, 2024: Limited availability left in king-size rooms.

EVEN Hotel (book by January 25, 2025)
425 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Book online or call 1-877-666-3243 (reference the National High School Dance Festival).

Embassy Suites by Hilton Pittsburgh Downtown (book by January 26, 2025)
535 Smithfield Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Book online or call 412-338-2200 (reference National High School Dance Festival).

Hyatt Place Pittsburgh North Shore
260 North Shore Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15212

Book online or call 412-321-3000 (reference National High School Dance Festival). 

2023 NHSDF Highlights

Contact Us

• Point Park University NHSDF Coordinator: nhsdf@pointpark.edu 
• Dr. Kathryn Kearns, NHSDF founder and executive director: nationalHSdancefestival@gmail.com 
  Please continue to visit NHSDF.org for additional information about the regional and national Festivals.

Explore Point Park and Pittsburgh

Point Park University — Pittsburgh's Downtown University — is in the center of a world-class city located within walking distance to museums, galleries, shops, eateries, sports stadiums and more:

About Pittsburgh | Campus virtual tour | Conservatory of Performing Arts