The E. John Busser Ballet Scholarship was founded in 2006 by E. John Busser in memory of his mother, who was an avid ballet patron and fostered that love in John as well. John was an active volunteer with the Cleveland Ballet for over 15 years, and his desire to help support this beautiful art form led to the creation of the Scholarship.
Starting as a small local non-profit organization with recipients in the Cleveland, OH area, the scholarship has now grown into a global program helping to support young dancers across the world.
Some facts about the history of the Scholarship:
- From 2006 through 2025, we awarded 93 scholarships.
(This does not include the dozens of dancers who received clothing, pointe shoes, small donations, and other support throughout the years from the Scholarship) - In 2026, we will award our 100th scholarship!
- Recipients represent 15 countries across 6 continents!
- US, Canada, Mexico, Peru, Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, Japan, South Korea, UK, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Kazakhstan, and South Africa.
- 35 of our recipients are either current or former professional dancers.
- 16 of our recipients are currently in top pre-pro or PD programs across the world.
- 7 of our recipients currently own/manage their own studios or are FT ballet teachers.
- 6 of our recipients are either currently enrolled in or graduates of collegiate dance programs
- Julliard, Indiana University, BYU, UC – Santa Barbara, Univ. of Southern Florida, TCU
- 4 of our recipients are currently trainees with major ballet companies
- San Francisco Ballet, Joffrey Ballet (Chicago), Ballet West, and Oklahoma City Ballet
- 2 of our recipients are currently in top Contemporary programs.
- Arts Umbrella – Vancouver, BC; The Rambert School – London, England
- Recipients represent 15 countries across 6 continents!
Ballet companies who our recipients currently dance or have danced for:
- United States – Alabama Ballet, American Ballet Theater (Studio Co.), Arkansas Ballet, Avant Chamber Ballet, Ballet Austin, Ballet Frontier Texas, Ballet Magnificat, Ballet Tucson, Cincinnati Ballet, First State Ballet, Houston Ballet, Miami City Ballet, Milwaukee Ballet II, Nevada Ballet II, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet, Rochester Ballet, Sacramento Ballet, and Sarasota Ballet.
- South America – Ballet Municipal de Lima (Peru), Ballet Teatro de Colón (Argentina).
- Europe – Compañia de Nacho Duato (Spain), Dutch National Ballet – Junior Co. (Netherlands), Mikhailovsky Ballet (Russia), Portuguese Company for Contemporary Ballet (Portugal), Royal Ballet (England), Royal Swedish Ballet (Sweden), Zurich Ballet – Junior Co. (Switzerland)
- Asia – Korean National Ballet (South Korea)
A sample of ballet Pre-pro/PD programs our recipients are currently in:
- North America – Boston Ballet, Canada National Ballet School, Colorado Ballet, Houston Ballet, JKO (ABT school), Miami City Ballet School, San Francisco Ballet School
- Europe – European School of Ballet (Netherlands), Dutch National Ballet Academy (Netherlands), Royal Ballet School (England), Vaganova Academy (Russia)
- Australia – Australian Ballet School