How to Apply

Instructions for applying for the E. John Busser Ballet Scholarship

Dancers can apply for either one of our regular awards or our Platinum award. The application process will be different for each category.

You must follow the directions in the applications. Failure to provide the requested items in the requested format will result in loss of consideration.

  • Requirements for Regular Award:
    • Must be training at a pre-pro level or higher at a studio or school with focus on ballet. This includes those in bridge programs, trainee positions which are tuition-based as well as those in college dance programs.
    • Submit a web-sized headshot (less than 1MB)
    • Submit a 500-word or less essay on what ballet means to you.
  • Video requirements
    • Create a 1-minute or less introductory video. Please tell us:
      • Your name
      • Your age
      • Where you are currently training
      • Your favorite style of ballet (or dance)
    • Create a 12-minute, or less, dance video with the following:
      • Barre work (one side only) – max 5 minutes
        • Tendus
        • Plies
        • Grand battement
        • Adagio
      • Center (en pointe – under 14, optional) – max 7 minutes
        • Échappées and retires
        • Adagio
        • Pirouette (double) diagonally across the floor (en-dehors and en-dedans)
        • Petit Allegro
        • Medium allegro – brise, pas de chat, piques, sissonne ferme/ouverte (your choice)
        • Grand allegro – grand jetés, or saut de basques (your choice)
      • For male applicants – above plus:
        • Tour en l’air right and left (for those dancers 16 and over – double tour)
    • All videos must be sent as unpublished YouTube links. These links must remain active until 8/31/26.

For those dancers applying to the Platinum Award, you will need to provide everything in the “Regular Award” requirements plus the following:

  • For women:
    • 1 variation (2 minutes or less) of your choice
    • Learn and perform the Raymonda – Act III Henriette variation
  • For men:
    • 1 variation (2 minutes or less) of your choice
    • Learn and perform the La Sylphide – Act I James solo

These variations must be performed in a studio setting – no performance videos allowed. We are not looking for perfection – we are looking for passion and potential!

Platinum Award finalists will be asked to participate in a Zoom call with the EJB team to discuss your
future goals. For those dancers who are minors, one parent will be able to be on the call with you,
however, we will require that you (the dancer) are actively engaged in the conversation.

Send application materials to: ejbscholarshipapplication@gmail.com.

Deadline is June 6th. Winners will be announced at the end of August.