Three Saint Mary’s Hall Upper School dance students recently received the opportunity of a lifetime when they were awarded scholarships to attend the highly competitive and well-regarded Point Park University International Summer Dance program for six weeks this summer. The prestigious audition-only dance intensive offers daily ballet, jazz, and modern technique classes taught by nationally and internationally recognized instructors in state-of-the-art dance facilities.

The scholarships were provided by visiting Broadway choreographer Gustavo Zajac, who is also a guest instructor at Point Park University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In the process of casting and choreographing an original dance in memory of Jenny Baylan (Class of 2000), “Jenny’s Piece," for the Saint Mary’s Hall Kaleidoscope performance, Zajac was able to work with SMH dancers and contribute to the selection of the scholarship award winners.

The scholarships were awarded on March 5 in conjunction with the SMH Academic Dance Awards and the newly reintroduced Jenny Baylan Dance Spirit Award, which is given to an Upper School dancer who exhibits the generous spirit, bright smile, strong work ethic, and love of dance so strongly exuded by Baylan. Congratulations to the following SMH dancers:

• Andrea S. (Form 12) -  Jenny Baylan Dance Spirit Award (full-tuition scholarship)
• Kathryn K. (Form 12) - Senior Academic Dance Award (50-percent tuition scholarship)
• Sophie S. (Form 10) - Undergraduate Academic Dance Award (50-percent tuition scholarship)

The awards were presented by Middle/Upper School Modern Dance Teacher Seme Jatib following the Senior Night Kaleidoscope performance with the Baylan Family on hand to award the Jenny Baylan Dance Spirit Award.  

Read more SMH News at www.smhall.org/news.