National High School Dance Festival

Highlights from the 2025 National High School Dance Festival

The fifth biennial NHSDF at Point Park University — held Feb. 26 to March 2 —  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.

The Festival welcomed 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. 

2025 NHSDF Highlights

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

NHSDF 2027 

Point Park University is thrilled to once again host NHSDF in 2027. Stay tuned for additional details and announcements. 

What Participants Enjoyed 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.

2025 Partner Hotels

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

EVEN Hotel 
425 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Embassy Suites by Hilton Pittsburgh Downtown 
535 Smithfield Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222

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

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:

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