Reach is Charlotte Ballet’s nationally recognized outreach dance scholarship program. Reach is a community outreach need based dance scholarship program which makes quality dance training accessible twice a week, September– May, to students who demonstrate a natural talent for movement and the potential to be trained in dance.
Reach is a three-year scholarship dance program that makes beginning level, quality dance training accessible to students who demonstrate a natural talent for movement and the potential to be trained in dance. The program affords children the opportunity to access quality dance training in their neighborhoods free of charge promoting self-esteem, discipline, a strong work ethic and an appreciation for the arts.
Open auditions are held each year and selection is determined based on natural abilities, the potential to be trained in dance, financial need and family commitment to the program. Students selected for the program attend classes two times each week at a designated Mecklenburg County recreation center. All first-year students receive their dance attire at no charge to their families. Students and their parents also receive tickets to attend select Charlotte Ballet performances.
Reach was launched in 2009 through a $78,000 grant from the Women’s Impact Fund. The Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department partners with Charlotte Ballet to promote the program and provide sites for the classes at the Albemarle Road, Bette Rae Thomas, Ivory Baker, Naomi Drenan and Hickory Grove Recreation Centers.
In 2011, Reach won a program achievement award from the National Association of County Organizations.
Children ages 7-10 are eligible to audition for Reach.
Audition spots are limited. Please secure your spot and let us know you’ll be attending.
Register For An AuditionTo complete your registration, please arrive at the recreation center 30 minutes before the audition time on the day of the audition with your completed application packet and supplemental paperwork. To download an application packet Click Here. For an application in Spanish Click Here. Please plan to attend the audition at the recreation center where your child will be able to attend classes.
Ivory Baker Recreation Center | 1920 Stroud Park Court | Charlotte, NC 28206
Students who attend Walter G. Byers School, Tuckaseegee Elementary School, Statesville Road Elementary School, Irwin Academic Center, Ranson Middle School, Piedmont Middle School and Sedgefield Middle School should participate in Reach classes at the Ivory Baker Recreation Center. CMS school bus transportation is available from these schools to the Ivory Baker Recreation Center.
Naomi Drenan Recreation Center | 750 Beal Street | Charlotte, NC 28211
Students who attend Cotswold Elementary School, Randolph Middle School, Barringer Academic Center, Park Road Montessori School, Myers Park Traditional School and Sedgefield Middle School should participate in Reach classes at the Naomi Drenan Recreation Center. CMS school bus transportation is available from these schools to the Naomi Drenan Recreation Center.
Albermarle Road Recreation Center | 5027 North Idlewild Road | Charlotte, NC 28227
Students who attend Albemarle Road Elementary School, Albemarle Road Middle School, Idlewild Elementary School, Lansdowne Elementary School, Shamrock Gardens Elementary School, Elizabeth Traditional Elementary School and Sedgefield Middle School should participate in Reach classes at the Albemarle Road Recreation Center. CMS school bus transportation is available from these schools to the Albemarle Road Recreation Center.
Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center | 2921 Tuckaseegee Road |Charlotte, NC 28208
Students who attend Ashley Park Pre K-8 School, Statesville Road Elementary School, Tuckaseegee Elementary School, Irwin Academic Center and Sedgefield Middle School should participate in Reach classes at the Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center. CMS school bus transportation is available from these schools to the Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center.
Hickory Grove Recreation Center | 6709 Pence Road | Charlotte, NC 28215
Students who attend Hickory Grove Elementary School, First Ward Creative Arts Academy, Lansdowne Elementary School, Elizabeth Traditional School, Shamrock Gardens Elementary School, Idlewild Elementary School, Cochrane Collegiate Academy and Albemarle Road Middle School should participate in Reach classes at the Hickory Grove Recreation Center. CMS school bus transportation is available from these schools to the Hickory Grove Recreation Center.
Families that meet the qualifications for the North Carolina free and reduced lunch program also qualify for the Reach program scholarship.
Students who have not participated in the Reach program previously should wear comfortable clothes that allow freedom of movement such as shorts, sweat pants and t-shirts (solid colors—no words); formal dance wear/shoes are not required. Returning students should audition in their Reach dance attire. Hair should be pulled back away from the face and neck.
Parents/guardians and students should arrive 30 minutes early to submit audition paperwork and register for the audition. Students who arrive with incomplete audition paperwork or more than 10 minutes late will not be permitted to audition and will be asked to attend an audition at another center later in the week. Only students are allowed in the audition. Parents/guardians will not be permitted to watch their children audition.
Twice weekly, September-May
Yes, all students must audition each year. During the audition, progress from the previous year will be assessed. Returning students should wear their Reach attire to the audition.
For additional program information please contact Katelyn Pounds, education and outreach coordinator, at 704.372.0101 x2775.
