Dance Program Equity Scholarships

Founder of the Philadelphia Dance Company (PHILADANCO) in 1970, and The Philadelphia School of Dance Arts in 1960, legendary artist and visionary Joan Myers Brown is the namesake of our scholarship program. In addition to her own companies, she serves as honorary chairperson for the International Association of Blacks in Dance, an organization she established in 1991.

In recognition of her myriad accomplishments and awards throughout her more than seven decades in dance, Francisco Gella Dance Works announced the renaming of the scholarship fund during the month of Ms. Brown’s ninetieth birthday in December 2021. Founding FGDW Artistic Director Francisco Gella danced for PHILADANCO under Ms. Brown’s leadership from 1998 to 2002.

The Joan Myers Brown Equity Scholarship Fund is based on the belief that when given an opportunity to learn and do what they love, every student with motivation can succeed. Therefore, every student deserves at least one chance to try. But we are fully aware that not every student has the financial means or support to participate in training and educational dance programs that will give them access to the information they need in pursuit of their goals. To level the playing field of opportunity and identify talent, Francisco Gella Dance Works offers financial support through full and partial tuition scholarships to eligible applicants of all backgrounds for its intensives and workshops.

Eligibility

Scholarship Decisions Are Based on a Combined Evaluation of Financial Need as Well as the Demonstrated Potential for Success as a Future Professional Dancer

For Application to the Joan Myers Brown Emergence Scholarships:

These two full scholarships will be awarded annually to two Black or Brown dancers who are citizens of the United States ages 12-22. Dancers should use the online application and indicate you are applying for the Emergence Scholarship.

Applicants for Both the Equity Fund and the Emergence Scholarships Must Meet the Additional Following Criteria:

1. All applicants must be between the age of 7 and 22 years old at the time of application. Keep in mind that the eligibility requirement for the Emergence Scholarship is 12-22.
2. All applicants must be an intermediate or advanced dancer. This means that a dancer has had at least two years of consistent technical training and takes a minimum of three hours of ballet per week.
3. For the Equity Scholarship Fund, dancers may apply from any ethnic or racial background. Emergence Scholarships are designated for Black or Brown dancers.

Submission Requirements

A video showing work at the ballet barre or across the floor is preferred. The ballet class video should show the student in proper form-fitting ballet attire and must be shot with the video focused close-up on the student applicant. Ideally, the class video will be shot when the student is taking a private lesson.

As a less-desired alternative, you may submit a solo. Ideally, the solo should showcase the student’s technique through their movement. This will allow the scholarship selection committee to evaluate both the training itself and the execution of their training. The committee is evaluating the artistic capacity and potential of the student.

The technique video or solo must be no more than six months from the date of application. If the student has shown significant improvement in the months leading up to applying, it will benefit the dancer’s chances of receiving a scholarship if they submit a more recent video.

A Personal Essay From the Student

If the student is young, the parent may help the student write the essay but it should still reflect the dancer’s ideas.

The statement should address the following three questions:

• How has dance enriched my life?
• What do I hope to learn as a result of receiving this scholarship?
• What will my participation contribute to the other students’ experience who will be attending the program I hope to attend?

A Letter of Financial Need

This letter should provide detail on the circumstances for why the scholarship support is needed and why financial hardship would keep you from attending without it. The written documentation needs to be supported by facts, and if needed by a reference who can vouch for your stated financial need. A Letter of Support From a Current Teacher or Director

The individual that provides the recommendation must be able to provide detail on the student’s current ability level, aptitude for learning, performance in class, potential for success, and individual motivation to succeed.