Met Student Melecio Amaro Awarded the 2025/2026 Balaurol Prize

Metropolitan Ballet Company is proud to announce that Boys’ Scholarship Program student Melecio Amaro, age 14, has been selected as the winner of the 2025/2026 Balaurol Prize.

The Balaurol Prize is awarded to a dancer in the Met Men community who demonstrates exceptional commitment and dedication to the art of dance, and to his personal artistic growth. The award supports continuing education and mentoring opportunities that encourage the pursuit of a professional career.

Melecio, a Freshman at Cheltenham High School, has been a member of Metropolitan’s Boys’ Scholarship Program for the past six years, and a member of the pre-professional Company since 2023. Most recently, he performed in the leading children’s role of “Prince” in Philadelphia Ballet’s production of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®, choreography by George Balanchine, © The George Balanchine Trust.

The Balaurol Prize award will support Melecio’s coaching, entry fees and travel expenses for upcoming competitions: the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) and the American Dance Company/International Ballet Competition (ADC/IBC) this January and February.

Metropolitan’s Boys’ Scholarship Program provides tuition-free classical and contemporary dance training in all-male classes, led by a distinguished male faculty.  Since its founding in 1999, over 425 boys have enrolled, receiving over $1.7 million in scholarships.  Up to 50 boys, ages 7-17, train and perform each year, making our program one of the largest in the nation.

PC: Eduardo Patino.NYC / courtesy Metropolitan Ballet Company

The “MET MEN” regularly earn scholarships to prestigious summer and year-round dance programs, and many alumni are performing professionally, including at BalletX, Paul Taylor Dance, Rubberband Dance, on Broadway, and more.The rigors of classical training and performance provide a framework for success for young men, whether they pursue college studies, careers in the performing arts, or other career paths.

The Boys’ Scholarship Program is supported by grants from the Loeb Performing Arts Fund of The Philadelphia Foundation and by many generous donors.  For more information or to register, call 215-663-1665, email collinsvidnovic@metropolitanballetcompany.org, or visit http://www.metropolitanballetcompany.org