Four Young Dancers Are Presidential Scholars
August 15, 2016

Four dancers have been selected as 2016 U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts, an annual award to 20 National YoungArts Foundation finalists for outstanding achievement in academics, in addition to artistic excellence in dance, theater, music, visual arts and writing. Modern dancers Jared Brown and Kaylin Sturtevant of Dallas, Texas, classical Indian dancer Pavithra Nagarajan of Fremont, California, and tap dancer Dario Natarelli of New York City each received a presidential medallion at a recognition ceremony in Washington, DC. Afterward, they performed in a multidisciplinary showcase directed by Emmy Award–winner Debbie Allen. The honor is the highest level of recognition for YoungArts winners who, in the past, have included Desmond Richardson (DT, January 2016), Camille A. Brown (DT, August 2015) and The Royal Ballet’s Sarah Lamb.

Students ages 15 to 18 or in grades 10 to 12 interested in participating in the YoungArts program can apply through October 14. Youngarts.org/apply

Presidential Scholar Dario Natarelli soars during the 2016 National YoungArts Week showcase.

Photo by Pedro Portal, courtesy of YoungArts

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