What do American Ballet Theatre dancers David Hallberg, Misty Copeland, Devon Teuscher, Cassandra Trenary, Catherine Hurlin and Tyler Maloney all have in common? They were each awarded an ABT National Training Scholarship after attending ABT’s Summer Intensive. Since 1997, ABT has been awarding this elite scholarship (formerly called the Coca Cola Scholarship) to gifted and talented Summer Intensive students between the ages of 12 and 18. Currently, 27 ABT company members have received this honor.
The goal of ABT’s National Training program is to encourage young ballet students with astounding potential who, for whatever reason, cannot move to New York City to attend ABT’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School (JKO) year-round. One of last year’s awardees is Andrew Robare. Andrew was first presented with a National Training Scholarship after attending the 2016 New York Summer Intensive. The National Training Scholarship allowed ABT to encourage and support him as he continued training with an eye toward ABT. The National Training Scholarship covered the full cost of his ABT Summer Intensive program for the following year, as well as a stipend to be used toward summer housing and/or his year-round training expenses. In September 2018, Andrew enrolled in ABT’s JKO School and two months later he was offered a position in ABT Studio Company. Andrew’s former schools, Shenandoah Conservatory Arts Academy and Ashburn Academy of Dance and ABT Affiliate Exclusive Educational Affiliate School, University of North Carolina School of the Arts played a key role in preparing him.
At American Ballet Theatre, America’s National Ballet Company®, developing dancers is what we do best. Our distinguished faculty and staff know how to help young dancers achieve their highest technical and artistic goals. We are so proud of all of the students who have come through our Summer Intensive program and look forward to sharing our knowledge and passing down the unique cultural heritage of ABT with all those that will follow.
—Kate Lydon
Artistic Director, ABT Summer Intensive
