THE RANDY DUNCAN YOUNG MEN’S DANCE INITIATIVE
The Academy’s Young Men’s Dance Initiative offers scholarships to three elite-level freshman male dancers.
What began as a vision from Department Chair, educator, and world-renowned choreographer Randy Duncan — and was brought to life by founders Rusty Hernandez-Sanfilippo and Jeffrey Sanfilippo, alongside Harriet Ross and Patrick Simoniello — has grown into an exceptional, globally recognized program.
Today, it stands as one of the nation's leading preparatory pathways for top college dance programs and professional companies, such as The Juilliard School, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, and the Dutch National Ballet.
Over the past eight years, the Young Men’s Dance Initiative (YMDI) has helped expand the Dance Department from just one or two young men in its early years, to 10 to 12 annually. It remains the only arts high school initiative intentionally dedicated to recruiting, educating, and supporting young male dancers.
This focus has not only elevated the training and opportunities available to these students, but has also enriched the overall quality and rigor of the program for all dancers.
These dancers receive tuition assistance for up to the entire cost of tuition. Learn how the Young Men’s Dance Initiative is impacting our students with the video below.