EDGE Performing Arts Center

Developed by Allaire and Prudich. Established at L.A. Dance Academy 1989-1991, and later at EDGE in 1992.

This opportunity is for serious dancers who are able to commit up to 36 hours per week (36-plus hours during rehearsals and performances) to study at the world renowned EDGE Performing Arts Center for one year. Scholarship is for dancers whose schedule is flexible allowing them time to take class from a wide range of participating EDGE teachers. It’s for dancers who are passionate, dedicated and ready for the challenge.

Selected by audition, up to twenty dancers are chosen to receive this one-year scholarship. Weekly, it includes up to: 18 classes from our open-schedule, three 2-hour professional development workshops and five hours of apprenticeship. And, the opportunity to rehearse and perform in our annual show. The program is guided by the Directors with one-on-one expert advice from teachers.

Professional development workshops include dance, choreography, acting improvisation, audition technique, preparing an audition song, trade discussions and other know-how. Special opportunities include taking headshots, becoming acquainted with dance agencies and being showcased in our annual show. Past participants have had the opportunity to gain additional performance experience in film, video and live productions. Workshops may be open to other students.

EDGE is the host for this amazing opportunity presented by The Dance Fund. Created in 1988 by Randy Allaire and Bill Prudich over 550 dancers are among a select group who have participated in this opportunity. Participants include Laney Filuk, Lisa Coppola-Lindholm, Gil Duldulao, RJ Durell, Shawnette Heard, Bobby Newberry, Tracy Phillips, Becca Sweitzer, Malaya, Adam Parson, Nancy Anderson, Liana Blackburn, Khasan Brailsford, Hannah Douglass, Kelli Erdmann, KC Monnie, Jasmine Perri, Brittany Russell, Michael Stein, Dani Vitale, Charlie Williams, and many others. Allaire and Prudich continue to direct the program working closely with the participants.

The program is avocational and offered through the studio. It is not part of the Academy at EDGE and is not vocational or part of a curriculum. It is not graded and does not issue a degree, academic credit or certification associated with an academic or vocational school. It does not guarantee professional representation or employment.

Founded in 2005 by Randy Allaire, Carol Connors and Bill Prudich, The Dance Fund provides educational and scholarship opportunities, professional development, and fiscal sponsorship to dancers, choreographers, and dance companies. The Dance Fund also engages with various organizations in the community to provide meaningful programs to youth as well as other social and cultural communities.

The Dance Fund is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide support to and benefit the Los Angeles dance community, engage in meaningful community programming, and promote the mental and physical benefits of dance.

Partial list of scholarship participants and their experiences. We're proud to be a part of their journey. Please note: we do not guarantee employment or representation.

CHOREOGRAPHERS
Gil Duldulao	Janet Jackson, Britney Spears
RJ Durell	Madonna, American Idol, Katy Perry, Iron Man, Pink, Superbowl 2015
Shawnette Heard	Janet Jackson, Tweet, MTV's Becoming
Caty Jean	L’effluer des sens (Director)
Jason Myhre	Rihanna, N’SYNC, Britney Spears, Mariah Carey, Shakira, Anastacia
Bobby Newberry	Pussycat Dolls, Girlicious
Tracy Phillips	American Music Awards, Dancing with the Stars, Rhianna, Britney Spears, Ricky Martin, Covergirl, Kmart
Becca Sweitzer	Hart of Dixie, Raphael Saadig, Scissor Sisters, The Goldbergs
TALENT AGENTS
Lisa Coppola	Co-founder, Principal and Agent, Go 2 Talent Agency
Laney Filuk	Co-founder, Principal and Agent, BLOC Talent Agency
CASTING DIRECTOR
Marissa Munoz	Founder, Principal and Director, M Casting -- Old Navy, Gap (Dance)
TEACHERS
Blake Angier	Malaya Ho	Elizabeth Petrin	Dani Vitale
Liana Blackburn	Tiffany Leise Taskey	Aury Reitz	Michelle Vrakelos
Dom Chaiduang	Chelsea Michener	Claude Racine	Christina Woodard
Lisa Eaton	KC Monnie	Gregg Russell	x
Kyle Hill	Bobby Newberry	Sarah Smith	x
Scott Hislop	Adam Parson	Becca Sweitzer	x
PERFORMERS
Samantha Abrantes	Paris Disney
McKenzie Anderson	Glee, X Factor, Chrysler, Bunheads, UGGS, Toms
Nancy Anderson	Justin Timberlake (tour), Christina Aguilera (tour), Britney Spears (tour), Gap
Tim Anderson	Wicked (tour), The Color Purple (NY), 9 to 5 (original cast), Reba McIntire
Alyx Andrushuk	American Music Awards, Selena Gomez, Target, Carly Rae Jepsen
Chad Azadan	River North Company, Celine Dion
Liana Blackburn	Britney Spears, Viva Laughlin, Chris Angel’s Believe
Lindsay Blaufarb	Beat Freaks (America’s Next Best Dance Crew)
Khasan Brailsford	Beyonce, Pink
Zac Brazenas	Celine Dion World Tour, Britney Spears
Dominic Chaiduang	Celine Dion (tour), Paul McCartney (tour), Wicked (tour)
Lexi Contursi	Katy Perry, X Factor, Glee, Taylor Swift, Laguna Beach, Ted 2
Jessica Cropper	Benjamin Button (Cate Blanchett dance double), Glee, CSI
Tiffany Daniels	The Color Purple (tour), Gangster Squad, Kelly Clarkson, The X Factor
Audrey Douglass	Radio City Rockettes, Beyonce, VMA's, L.A. Opera (La Traviata), The Question
Hannah Douglass	Beyonce, Glee, Footloose, Iron Man 2, Britney Spears, Seal
RJ Durell	Cher (tour), Macy Grey, Destiny's Child, Movin' Out (tour)
Kelli Erdmann	Glee, Wicked, Victorious, Samsung, Reebok, Daft Punk
Reshma Gajjar	Madonna (tour), VH1 Hit The Floor
Molly Gosline	Beyonce, My Chemical Romance
Zachary Hensler	Aida (tour), Wicked (LA, tour)
Stephen Hernandez	Newies, LA Phil, American Airlines, Shaping Sounds, 90210
Kyle Hill	Glee, Wicked (Broadway and tour)
Scott Hislop	Ted 2, Benjamin Button, Spiderman, Titanic, Charlie's Angels
Yayoi Ito	Rockettes, Wayne Brady Show, Anastacia (tour)
Casey Johansen	Lady Gaga, Academy Awards, Glee, Ted 2, Ford, Subway, MTV Movie Awards
Keith Kool	L.A. Opera, Contact (LA, tour), Fiddler On The Roof (NY)
Taeok Lee	Taylor Swift Tour, American Music Awards, Grammys
Shanna Lord	Cirque du Soliel, Anastacia
Kandis Mak	Bette Midler, The Showgirl Must Go On, Ellen DeGeneres Show
Nikki Medrano	Emmy Awards, Janelle Monae, BET Awards, American Idol
Ragon Miller	Chris Brown, Dancing with the Stars, Pitbull, Ariana Grande, VMA’s
Marvin Milora	Justin Bieber, Cheetah Girls (tour), Britney Spears
KC Monnie	Teen Beach Movie, Dancing with the Stars, Glee, Fame, American idol
Preston Mui	Mariah Carey (tour), Paulina Rubio (tour)
Michael Munday	Glee, Ted 2
Shelby Rabara	GLEE, Limelight (TV pilots)
Julie Schmid	The Mindy Project, Katy Perry, Switched at Birth, 90210, Kelly Clarkson
Logan Schyvynck	Kesha (tour), Chris Angel’s Believe
Rachele Smith	Center Stage 2 (lead), Bring it On 5 (lead)
Sarah Smith	Britney Spears, Austin Powers 1, 2 & 3, CSI Miami, Batman
Michael Stein	Britney Spears, Glee, Kylie Minogue, Cee Lo Green, American Idol
Jon Stotlar	Paris Disney, Tokyo Disney
Becca Sweitzer	Hairspray (film), Christina Aguilera, Tropic Thunder
Victor Tang	Madonna
Ryan Thomas	Queen Latifah Cover Girl campaign
Addie Yungmee	The Gymnast (lead), Madonna (tour), Celine Dion (tour), Cher (tour)
Austin Westbay	Kesha (tour), Hysterica Dance Company
Charlie Williams	Sound of Music live, Tony Awards, Kennedy Center Honors, Academy Awards, America's Got Talent, Memphis (OBC)
Dani Vitale	Glee, Beyonce, Shake It Up, The Voice, Katy Perry, Rihanna, Grammys