Carmine balleto dance scholarship
About the Carmine Balleto Scholarship
Established in 1997, the Carmine Balleto Scholarship is awarded to students who have demonstrated excellence and commitment in dance. Encouraging the study of ballet and a lifelong devotion to dance, the scholarship covers the cost of four ballet and pointe classes per week, as well as all production and participation fees during the Fall & Winter/Spring semesters.
Recipient Requirements
Awardees are required to serve as teachers’ assistants for one Preschool/Kinder class per week, and must currently be enrolled in Ballet IV-VII at the Lawrence Arts Center to audition.
How to Apply?
To apply, students must attend a scheduled in-person audition. Auditions happen in March each year. Look for information in the Winter/Spring Catalog and on our website!
2025 – 2026 Scholarship Awardees
Phoebe Morris
Phoebe Morris, a 2025-2026 Carmine Balleto Scholarship Recipient, has been training at the Lawrence Arts Center’s School of Dance program since she was 18 months old. She started in preschool ballet classes and has worked her way up to Ballet VII. In 2019, she joined Lawrence Ballet Theatre and is in her 7th year as a company member. She also spent a year training with Kansas City Ballet in 2022 as an Advanced student and danced at the Kauffman Center for Performing Arts. Phoebe has trained across the country for summer intensives with Joffrey Ballet, The Nutmeg Conservatory Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, National Choreography Intensive, and the Lawrence Ballet Intensive. She has trained in many styles such as Ballet, Modern, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Jazz, African, Ballroom, Character, Flamingo, and Tango. Throughout her time, she has performed in many ballets including Don Quixote, Coppelia, Firebird, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and 12 Nutcrackers. Outside of dance, she is a senior at Lawrence Free State High School and plans to graduate in 2026. Looking forward, she is interested in continuing her training with a minor in Dance and a major in Journalism.
Annalise Lantz
Annalise Lantz has been dancing for twelve years, and has trained with the Lawrence Arts Center’s School of Dance for over a decade. Annalise went on to join the Lawrence Ballet Theatre and has been a committed member for five years. While at LAC, Annalise focused her training on ballet, modern, and jazz, as well as tap, hip-hop, and contemporary. When attending summer intensives and masterclasses, Annalise has enjoyed experiencing many types of dance, such as: musical theatre, ballroom, West African, salsa, and various modern techniques. Throughout her time with LBT, Annalise has had the opportunity to attend and perform at the annual Regional Dance America festivals, including a national festival in Daytona Beach, Florida. Annalise has also attended multiple dance intensives including the National Choreography Intensive, the Lawrence Dance Intensive, and the UMKC Conservatory Dance Intensive. While every performance with LAC has been special, Annalise particularly enjoyed dancing as a snowflake in the Nutcracker, and performing in “A Nod to Gershwin” during her first year in LBT. Annalise has also performed in: Don Quixote, Coppelia, Les Sylphides, Alice in Wonderland, Wonka, and many other shows over the years. After graduating high school in 2026, Annalise plans to pursue a career in dance, and major in dance with a focus in performance and choreography.
PAST SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
24-25: Zoe Kaul and Jahnava Sabilla
23-24: Celeste Stinson and Rhubarb Brubacher
22-23: Linnaea Radley and Jahnava Sabilla
21-22: Gracia Greenhoot and Cassidy Dunn
20-21: Catherine Richards and Linnaea Radley
19-20: Samantha Dunham and Elizabeth Lollar
Financial Aid
Dance is for Everyone
The School of Dance strives to provide access to dance classes and performances through various financial aid and scholarship opportunities. We offer scholarships, income-based financial aid, the option to “Try Before You Buy” and a bundle dance discount for students taking three or more classes.
Explore Financial Aid & Scholarships
- Household Income-Based Financial Aid
- Try Before You Buy | Contact the School of Dance to try a class.
- Bundle Dance Discount | Enroll in three or more dance classes for 20% off dance tuition. This applies to the entire household. Contact the School of Dance to learn more.
Art is for Everyone
Making Dance Accessible to All
Lawrence Arts Center is here to ensure anyone—of any age and any background—can connect with a supportive community and flex their creative muscles. With contemporary exhibitions, performances, and an array of music education classes for adults and kids, everyone will find something that’s right for them.
Our primary state-of-the-art facility at 940 New Hampshire St. features classrooms, studios, theatres, and more. To further support the community, we also have a space for classes and rehearsal at 10th & Mass Studios.
