— Lisa Harrison, parent
The Boys’ Scholarship Program was established in 1999. William DeGregory, renowned Principal Dancer of the Pennsylvania Ballet and current Artistic Director of the Pennsylvania Ballet II, leads the classes.
The all- boys, tuition-free program, for boys ages 7-18, is designed to enhance athletic skills, flexibility and strength and includes performance opportunities. Students are accepted by audition. No prior dance experience is required.
Our inaugural year, 1999, drew twenty boys ages 7-15, eighteen of whom continued for the entire thirty-six week program. Now beginning our ninth year, we are proud that our program has grown, with fifty-three boys currently enrolled. The program draws students from Philadelphia and its five county region, and from all areas of interest. Whether the boys are bound for a career in dance, musical theater, figure skating, gymnastics or team athletics, all enjoy the opportunity to study dance in an all-male atmosphere from truly great teachers. Over the past eight years, the curriculum has expanded to include classes in partnering and advanced ballet. Andrew Pap, chair of ballet at the University for the Arts, and Alexei Borovik, former principal dancer with the Pennsylvania Ballet, complete our distinguished faculty for Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced male dancers. The students are offered additional coaching and performance opportunities through the MBC Performing Company, as well as master classes and summer study from a variety of Guest Artists from the Pennsylvania Ballet, the Philadelphia region and New York City.
Students from the program have been recognized for many special achievements including:
For each of the past eight years students from our program have been invited to participate in Pennsylvania Ballet’s performances of The Nutcracker. Last year (2007), thirteen boys performed, two of whom played the featured roles of the Little Prince and the role of Fritz.
In November of 2006, thirteen students participated in an “invited audition” at the School of American Ballet in New York City for Broadway’s upcoming production of Billy Elliot.
Senior students performed in Pennsylvania Ballet’s 2006 production of A Midsummer Nights Dream, the 2005 production of La Fille mal Gardee and the 2003 production of Cinderella.
Senior student John Piel completed his senior year at the Harid Conservatory, apprenticed with Ballet Austin and North Carolina Dance Theater, and currently dances with State Street Ballet.
Scott Stampone performed in Citta della Pieve, Italy, as part of The Philadelphia Opera Theater’s world premiere of an Italian Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Numerous students have been accepted into professional summer dance programs, including American Ballet Theatre, Boston Ballet, the Kirov Academy, The Ailey School and the Harid Conservatory.
The Boys’ Program is proud to be supported by a generous grant from The Loeb Performing Arts Fund of The Philadelphia Foundation and by many generous gifts from individuals. Metropolitan Ballet Company is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization.