Pittsburgh nurtures the next generation of Black dancers at HDAT

Pittsburgh’s Hill Dance Academy Theatre (HDAT), located in the Historic Hill District, is a local treasure, offering professional-level training in “Black dance traditions, history, culture and aesthetics.” Its goal is to engage young dancers ages 3-18 and empower them to pursue careers in the field.

Creativity, physicality and performance skills are taught both in and out of the studio, as students attend outside performances and have the opportunity to travel and perform locally and nationally.

Dancers study a range of genres, from ballet, tap, and Capoeira to African, jazz and liturgical movement in classes held on weekends and after school.

– Eve Lederman, The Pittsburgh 100