Mind-Builders Merit Dance Scholarship is a comprehensive program for the serious dance student. The program was designed for the motivated and talented student interested in an intense performance program that focuses on refining technique and expanding performance skills. The scholarship provides dance instruction and training, performance opportunities, work experience and mentoring. The scholarship is for one school year from October to June. The program consists of TWO FREE Classes: (1) Ballet and (1) Modern, as well as a mandatory Hip-Hop, African or Tap 3rd class, which parents pay for. Merit Scholars are expected to participate in weekday Ballet/Pre–Pointe classes and/or in our Pre-Professional Workshop on Tuesdays and Thursdays, respectively, from 5:30 to 7:00 pm, to take full advantage of all the opportunities for growth and advancement we offer. Mind-Builders’ Dance scholars are also required to participate in our annual Kwanzaa (December) and MLK Day (January) Celebrations, and in our Dance Concert (May), as well as in dance trips, workshops and fundraising activities during the year. Each Merit Scholar’s dance schedule will include a mandatory work assignment in the Dance Department for at least 1-2 hour per week as a helper in the classroom, office, café, with marketing outreach and/or assisting one of our staff members.