George Rowland White Performance Center

Faculty Feature: Meet Beverly Bautista, School of Dance

Wednesday, August 27, 2025 Drawing from her experience in Los Angeles's entertainment hub, Bautista has worked on projects with Disney, Pepsi, the Billboard Music Awards, Lip Sync Battle, iHeart Radio and Good Morning America. She's worked for Nicki Minaj, opened for Britney Spears and Lil Wayne and is a proud Monsters Dance alumni.

Beverly Bautista and her students in the George Rowland White Performance Center. Photo | Randall Coleman

Springboard Danse Brings Summer Project to Point Park University

Friday, July 18, 2025 120 dancers, 10 Principal Companies, seven Emerging Choreographers, two Resident Choreographers and one Fellow gathered at Point Park to collaborate and connect through workshops, classes, showings, auditions, creations and the staging of international repertory.

A photo from ABYSS, a pop-up installation at the Smithfield-Liberty parking garage by Springboard Resident Choreographer slowdanger. Photo | Ethan Stoner

2025 National High School Dance Festival Highlights

Wednesday, April 2, 2025 The fifth biennial NHSDF at Point Park welcomed 2,100 participants and generated more than $2 million for Downtown Pittsburgh.

Pictured are students and faculty from Newtown School of the Performing Arts, Australia. Photo | Randall Coleman

Point Park Hosts National High School Dance Festival, Injecting More Than $2 Million Into Pittsburgh’s Economy

Monday, March 3, 2025 “We are thrilled to see the positive economic impact of the National High School Dance Festival on our vibrant city. This event not only enriches the cultural landscape of Pittsburgh but also underscores the city's appeal as a premier destination for arts and education.”

The marquees at the Benedum Center features Point Park University's National High School Dance Festival.

Student Profile

Joel Balinao '27

"Point Park’s B.F.A. musical theatre program is one of the best in the country. Not only does it have access to amazing facilities, but it also has a really welcoming, heartwarming and open-minded group of faculty and staff."

Pictured is Joel Balinao. Photo | Nadia Jones

Point Park University's Department of Dance Named One of Best College Programs

Thursday, February 8, 2024 "We are thrilled to be recognized once again as one of the premiere dance programs in the country," said Susan Stowe, chair of dance. "Congratulations to our students, dance faculty, musicians and staff for another incredible year."

A photo of Point Park University dance students.

Student Profile

Estella Persio '24

"One of the reasons I chose Point Park is because of the George Rowland White Performance Center. It's a dream to train in the beautiful dance studios during my college career."

Pictured is Estella Persio. Photo | Natalie Caine.

Dance Faculty Feature: Daniel Karasik, Teaching Artist, Ballet

Tuesday, March 7, 2023 "I continue to believe that there is nowhere else you can go and see a show like one the dance department offers here. Because of our amazing student body, we are able to deliver professional quality, versatile performances that are truly remarkable."

Alumni Profile

Alumnus James Gowan and Fellow Alonzo King LINES Ballet Company Members Host Q&A with Students

"Point Park's rigorous dance program provides students the ability to grow and have a taste of the real world before they step into it. Additionally, the diverse program allows students to explore all that dance can be."

Choreographer and Ballet Master Jae Man Joo Joins Department of Dance Faculty

Tuesday, February 14, 2023 "I want to give everything back to the students and share all the knowledge and experiences that I have gained through my beautiful career. It makes me so happy when I see my students grow and develop into strong dancers and beautiful human beings."

Pictured is Jae Man Joo. Submitted photo.

Dance Program Once Again Ranked One of Best College Programs by DanceUS.org

Tuesday, December 20, 2022 Point Park University's dance program has once again been recognized as one of the Best College Dance Programs for 2022-23 in the United States by DanceUS.org.

A scene from Graham Diversion of Angels by Marc Simpson.

Dance Faculty Feature: Jesse Factor

Monday, October 24, 2022 "I value the idea that the key job of teaching is giving students new things to love. I enjoy sharing my passion for the art of dance with the next generation of artists."

Alumni Profile

Lamont Walker II '17

"Teachers like Zeva Barzell, Robin Walsh, and so many others I was fortunate to work with, knew how to shape young actors who had a passion for their craft. Point Park taught me how to do the hard work and I was blessed to have professors who shaped the actor I am today."

Alumni Profile

Maya Bowles '20

"The faculty prepared us for the professional world through mock auditions, having talk-backs with artists and learning/being evaluated by current choreographers in the industry. I began auditioning in New York my senior year and was so surprised by how prepared I felt in the room."

Alumni Profile

Jeff Gorti '16

"The training I had at Point Park's Conservatory of Performing Arts prepared me for the rigor of real life ... Also, the facilities that you get to train, rehearse and perform in are absolutely incredible. It is truly top of the line."

Dance Program Recognized by DanceUS.Org as One of Best College Programs

Monday, January 4, 2021 “To be in the company of other stellar dance programs in the country means that we are doing something right; leveraging our program through best practices in dance education, engaging our students with dance industry artists and ensuring that our students receive actionable takeaways to maximize their success in a changing dance industry,” said Garfield Lemonius, chair.

A dance student during the spring 2019 photo shoot. Photo | Katie Ging

Alumni Profile

Kaylee Wong '20

Kaylee Wong '20 was featured as the cover image of a recent Dance Spirit magazine issue.

Kiki Lucas '99, Assistant Professor of Dance

Monday, June 22, 2020 "I love to ignite passion, dig deep and demand performance quality. I am good at reading the energy of my classroom and being able to give the style that I feel best suits that day."

2020-21 Pittsburgh Playhouse and Media Innovation Speaker Series

Tuesday, May 19, 2020 The upcoming season celebrates love, human resiliency and community spirit, featuring the Pulitzer- and Tony Award-winning Angels in America Part One: Millennium Approaches, eclectic dance productions highlighted by the legendary Paul Taylor Dance Company and a thought-provoking Media Innovators Speaker Series kicking off with former Minnesota Senator Al Franken.

2020 NHSDF Highlights

Tuesday, March 3, 2020 National High School Dance Festival at Point Park University included three exhilarating days of classes, auditions, performances and making new friends from around the world.

Alumni Profile

Justin Peebles '08

"As for the dancers, I am speechless! No one does it like Point Park University. The dance faculty has trained these dance majors to be so marketable in all fields of the industry. I am very impressed EVERY time I come across a Point Park dancer in my everyday business."

Alumni Profile

Alumna and Former Rockette Eileen Grace Hosts Workshop at Point Park

"As dancers we need to always strive to be better and to continue training with a keen eye. Dedication and commitment are key as well as letting your passion shine through with confidence."

Contemporary Choreographers 2019

Thursday, October 24, 2019 Contemporary Choreographers featured work from all female choreographers, including Amy Hall Garner, Martha Nichols, Pearlann Porter and Yin Yue.

Top 10 CNN Hero Honoree, City Housing Authority Official Speaking at 2019 Graduation

Thursday, April 11, 2019 Point Park University will celebrate the annual Hooding and Degree Conferral and Commencement ceremonies Saturday, April 27 at PPG Paints Arena.

A photo from 2018 undergraduate commencement at PPG Paints Arena. Photo | John Altdorfer

B.F.A. in Dance Program Ranked as One of 10 Best in the Country

Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Conservatory Dance Company 2017-18 Lineup

Friday, September 1, 2017

Point Park's Dance Program Prepares Student for Giordano Dance Chicago Mentorship

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Alumna Gabriella Sorrentino is a Dance Captain for Hamilton | Broadway in Chicago

Monday, March 20, 2017

Creation, Collaboration and Improvisation Theme of Pilobolus Master Class with Dancers

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Faculty Profile: Meet Mark Burrell, Assistant Professor of Dance

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Alumni in Parsons Dance Company Host Master Class at Point Park for NHSDF 2016

Saturday, March 5, 2016

NHSDF Brings High School Dancers from Around the World to Point Park's Downtown Campus

Friday, March 4, 2016

Point Park Welcomes 1,300 High School Dancers to Downtown Pittsburgh for NHSDF, March 3-6

Monday, February 29, 2016

Students Train with Industry Professionals to Stage Contemporary Choreographers

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

World Cultures Dance Week Exposes Students to a Variety of Styles and Techniques

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Conservatory Dance Company 2015-2016 lineup

Monday, August 31, 2015

Point Park hosts 2016 National High School Dance Festival

Friday, June 5, 2015

Alumni Profile: Meet Lauren Garson, Parsons Dance

Monday, July 15, 2013

Alumnus Ian Spring Credits Point Park's Dance Program for Professional Success

Monday, July 15, 2013 "I definitely appreciated the location of Point Park in Downtown Pittsburgh. It was convenient no matter where I was living, be it Downtown Pittsburgh or the South Side. Pittsburgh is still my favorite city in this country."

Houston Metropolitan Dance Company is Home to Six Point Park Alumni

Friday, May 17, 2013 Six Conservatory of Performing Arts alumni are working for Houston Metropolitan Dance Company, a contemporary repertory dance company in Houston, Texas.