California Dance Institute Launched Pathways Partnership
The program provides full scholarships and dance residencies to students at Los Angeles elementary schools.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Dance
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The California Dance Institute and Westside Ballet have launched the Pathways Partnership to provide full dance scholarships and classroom training. This initiative aims to remove financial and logistical barriers for students by covering tuition, dancewear, and transportation.
Why it matters
By integrating professional dance instruction into public elementary classrooms, the partnership seeks to broaden access to arts education for students who might otherwise face financial or logistical obstacles. The program provides a structured pipeline from classroom residencies to full-tuition training scholarships.
The partnership has set a goal to reach 20 schools and provide 40 full scholarships annually by 2030. These efforts are supported by past funding including a $35,520 exploratory grant and a $35,110 planning grant provided by NSI.
The players
California Dance Institute
This nonprofit organization provides dance education programs and residencies to children in public schools.
Westside School of Ballet
Celebrating its 60th year, this Santa Monica institution provides professional ballet training and is a partner in the scholarship program.
NSI
This organization provided the exploratory and planning grants that enabled the launch and development of the partnership.
The details
CDI teaching artists conduct dance residencies in classrooms while Westside Ballet leadership identifies students for invitations to community classes and summer camps. The program currently includes Stoner Avenue Elementary, Westminster Elementary, and Grand View Boulevard Elementary.
Timeline
NSI provided an exploratory grant during the 2023-2024 period.
CDI conducted dance residencies at Westminster Elementary in the fall of 2025.
The fifth annual summer week took place from August 3-7, 2026.
The first Pathways scholar officially began training in August 2026.
Partners aim to expand the program to reach 20 schools by 2030.
Industry Dynamics
This partnership reflects a broader industry shift toward equity-focused programming in classical arts institutions. By formalizing a pipeline from local classrooms to a 60-year-old studio, the initiative aligns with national trends aimed at diversifying the future of professional ballet.
Eligible students at participating schools gain access to tuition-free training, specialized dancewear, and reliable transportation to the studio. Families can inquire about residency availability to determine if their local school is slated for inclusion in the upcoming expansion phases.
The takeaway
The Pathways Partnership demonstrates how non-profit organizations can bridge the gap between classroom exposure and intensive arts training. Interested families should monitor school-based announcements to participate in early-stage dance residencies.
Further reading
Learn more about local opportunities and institutional initiatives on the Dance section page.
More information
View the Pathways program details and giving to learn more about the initiative.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Broadway World.
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