National High School Dance Festival

Point Park to Host 2027 National High School Dance Festival

Point Park University will host the National High School Dance Festival from March 6 to 10, 2027. The Festival welcomes high school-age dancers from around the United States and abroad to participate in auditions, concerts, a recruitment fair 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 2027

• Opening Ceremonies at the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts.
• 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 universities and programs 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 on the college admissions process, careers in arts management, business management, marketing for dance and performing arts, nutrition and mental health and creating and managing a professional dance company. 
•  A recruitment fair.
• Closing Ceremonies at Point Park University's Pittsburgh Playhouse, where scholarships will be awarded to students.   
• Campus tours.

2027 Partner Hotels

Omni William Penn Hotel 
530 William Penn Place
Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Book online. To book more than 1 room, please call the property directly at 412-553-5200 or contact Central Reservations at 1-800-843-6664.

Drury Hotel 
745 Grant Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Book online.

2025 National High School Dance Festival Recap

The 2025 NHSDF at Point Park University welcomed a record-breaking 2,100 attendees and is estimated to have generated more than $2 million in economic activity for Downtown Pittsburgh. BODYTRAFFIC, a renowned Los Angeles-based dance company, performed as part of the Opening Ceremonies.

2025 NHSDF Highlights

Check out the recap story with videos, photos and more. 

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