Hill Dance Academy Students To Take Master Class With Dance Theatre of Harlem, 3/21

As part of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre's (PBT) two-week collaboration with Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH), DTH dancers will instruct two master classes for students at Hill Dance Academy Theatre at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 21, in Pittsburgh's Hill District. The classes, which will run simultaneously, are designed for two age groups: 7-12 and 12-16. The DTH dancers also will meet with parents and students after the classes for an informative discussion about the importance of dance training.

The master classes are part of PBT and DTH's two-week residency, which includes nine performances at the August Wilson Center and more than 25 programs in dance studios, community centers and libraries throughout Pittsburgh. Throughout the two-week residency, the companies aim to engage as many people as possible with programs that bring ballet beyond the stage and generate dialogue about inclusion, access and opportunity in the art of ballet.

Hill Dance Academy Theatre is a nonprofit dance arts education organization that guides dancers from ages 3-18 in developing dance technique, knowledge and performance skills that stay true to Black dance traditions and emphasize educational growth, personal fitness and positive body image.

Hill Dance Academy Theatre (HDAT) was founded by Ayisha Morgan-Lee, a professional dancer with a BFA from Howard University and a Masters in Arts Management from Carnegie Mellon University Heinz College's School of Public Policy & Management. Morgan-Lee serves on the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre + Dance Theatre of Harlem steering committee. HDAT's teaching artists include professional dancers, scholars and alumni, and the organization offers classes in all genres of concert dance, including ballet, tap, African, Horton, jazz, hip-hop and others.