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 with a performance by Hubbard Street Dance Chicago.
• 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.

EVEN Hotel
425 Forbes Avenue
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