The education programs of the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance provide unique opportunities for children and their families to access the arts, with a wide range of educational programs. From introductory to in-depth programs, there’s something for every grade level, ability, and learning style!
Youth & Family
Dayton Ballet School
Dayton Ballet School
Dayton Ballet School is dedicated to providing the opportunity to experience and appreciate dance for people of all ages and abilities. We embrace the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance’s belief that the arts are for everyone, and we take pride in the fact that many of our students have not only gone on to become ballet professionals (dancers, costume designers, choreographers, and teachers) but also as business and community leaders that advocate and appreciate the arts.
Dayton Ballet School Ensemble
Dayton Ballet School Ensemble (DBSE), divided into Apprentice and Junior ensembles, is a pre-professional training program available to dancers through audition only. This division is for dancers who are committed to a high level of dance training, strengthening, and artistic development along with elective classes to supplement their dance education. This division includes additional performance opportunities.
Auditions for DBSE for the 24/25 school year will be on May 10, 2024. Click here to learn more and register.
Youth Orchestras Of The DPAA
Dayton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra
Founded in 1937 by Paul Katz, the Dayton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra brings together the greater Dayton area’s most gifted young orchestral musicians, providing the opportunity to study and perform a broad range of orchestral repertoire. The DPYO is committed to inspiring an overall cultural awareness and appreciation of music in its members and audiences, strengthening our region’s existing school music programs, and helping stimulate interest in the development of school orchestral programs where none exist.
Dayton Philharmonic Youth Strings
The Dayton Philharmonic Youth Strings was established in 1982 with the support of Mrs. Virginia Kettering, to provide musical enrichment and advanced concert experience for string students in grade 6-12. The ensemble is comprised of 65 students representing homeschools and 26 different schools from the greater Dayton area.
Dayton Philharmonic Junior Strings
The Dayton Philharmonic Junior Strings was formed in 2014 in response to requests from string teachers and music educators for an orchestra that would encourage young string players not quite ready for the Dayton Philharmonic Youth Strings. From its inaugural season, the orchestra has grown to over 40 string players from 28 area schools. The goal of this orchestra is to provide an opportunity for students to further develop their musical skills while learning to work together with other string players in an ensemble.
Q The Music
Q the Music Strings
Q the Music Strings is a daily after-school string orchestra program that supports the musical, academic and social growth of at-promise youth in the Dayton community. Located at Ruskin Elementary, students in grades 3 through 6 receive academic tutoring; take group lessons in violin, viola, and cello; and participate in string orchestra rehearsals.
For questions, contact Melissa McCoy, Engagement Programs Manager, at mmccoy@daytonperformingarts.org or (937) 535-5469.
Competitions
David L. Pierson Concerto Competition
The purpose of this competition is to identify outstanding talented young musicians in the Dayton Metropolitan and surrounding areas, to encourage them to pursue further study, and to stimulate competition. The winner will have the opportunity to perform at a Dayton Performing Arts Alliance Learning Programs concert in the 2026–2027 season.
This competition will be held in-person on Saturday, May 9 at Wright State University in the Creative Arts Center (3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy, Fairborn, OH). The deadline for applications is Saturday, April 18, 2026. You can complete the online application here.
The competition will happen in the afternoon on Saturday, May 9. Winners of the competition must be available to perform during the concert that same evening. The concert will be open to the public at Wright State University.
Eligibility
- Contestants must be in grades 8–12 during the 2025–2026 school year.
- Contestants must be a member of their high school’s band or orchestra (exceptions are made for piano, harp, home-schooled students, as well as students in schools without band or orchestra programs).
- First place David L. Pierson Concerto Competition winners from previous years may not enter again.
- Contestants may audition with any orchestral instrument, including piano.
- Contestants must be a resident of the state of Ohio (exceptions are made for contestants who are members of the Dayton Philharmonic Youth Orchestras or students of Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra musicians).
Repertoire
- Each contestant should select a concerto piece (solo instrument with orchestra accompaniment) for their instrument.
- The repertoire selection must be memorized.
- The repertoire selection should be not less than 3 minutes or more than 8 minutes in length. Only one movement of a concerto is required. If the movement is more than 8 minutes, please make appropriate cuts.
- Each contestant must provide the judges with an original copy of the composition with measure numbers marked.
- A collaborative pianist is required; applicants must arrange for their own pianist.
Awards
- Accredited professionals in the music field select the winners of the competition. Decisions of the judges are final.
- Winners of the competition will be announced auditions are completed.
- If, in the judges’ opinion, a winner should be chosen, that person will receive an $800 prize and will perform at a DPAA Learning Programs concert during the 2026-2027 season. Second and third-place winners will receive $550 and $400 awards, respectively.
Steps to Submit Your Application
- Click here to complete the online application form here.
- The $30 application fee can be paid online here or mailed to the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance, 126 N. Main St, Suite 210, Dayton OH 45402. Checks can be made out to “DPAA” with the memo line stating, ‘Concerto Competition – Applicant’s Name.’ If a contestant withdraws from the competition for any reason after submitting their application, the fee will be retained by the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance. If the application fee is a barrier to your participation in the competition, we are happy to reduce or waive the fee. Please select one of the following questions below and email your response to education@daytonperformingarts.org with your request for a fee reduction or waiver.
- Please describe how participating in this competition would contribute to your artistic growth and development.
- How do you envision this experience furthering your musical goals and aspirations?
- What specific challenges have you overcome to reach your current level of musical proficiency?
- How does your dedication to music reflect your commitment to success in other areas of your life?
- How will this opportunity contribute positively to you and your community?
- The application and fee must be received by Saturday, April 18, 2026.
- Applicants will be notified of their audition time one week before May 9.
- Arrive at the competition at least 30 minutes before your assigned audition time. Warm-up rooms will be available; however, you will not be guaranteed any time with the piano in the room. Only contestants and their pianists will be admitted to the rehearsal room and audition room.
Questions
Please read the instructions above carefully. If you have any questions, please contact education@daytonperformingarts.org
The High School Vocal Competition
The High School Vocal Competition program was established in 1973 by the Opera Guild of Dayton to award scholarships to outstanding young people.
This competition will be held in-person on Saturday, May 9 at Wright State University in the Creative Arts Center (3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy, Fairborn, OH). The deadline for applications is Saturday, April 18, 2026. You can complete the online application here.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be enrolled in the 11th or 12th grade of high school during the 2025–2026 school year.
- Must be a resident of the state of Ohio.
Repertoire
- Select two selections to perform and they may come from operatic, art song, or musical theater literature. Please contact us with any questions regarding repertoire.
- The audition selections must be memorized.
- Total performance time of both selections should not exceed ten minutes.
- You will be assigned a pianist day-of (this service is provided at no charge for the applicant).
Awards
- Accredited professionals in the music field select the winners. Decisions of the judges are final.
- There are monetary prizes awarded:
- First Place – $800
- Second Place – $550
- Third Place – $400
Steps to Submit Your Application
- Click here to complete the online application form.
- The $30 application fee can be paid online here or mailed to the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance, 126 N. Main St, Suite 210, Dayton OH 45402. Checks can be made out to “DPAA” with the memo line stating, ‘HSVC – Applicant’s Name.’ If a contestant withdraws from the competition for any reason after submitting their application, the fee will be retained by the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance. If the application fee is a barrier to your participation in the competition, we are happy to reduce or waive the fee. Please select one of the following questions and email your response to education@daytonperformingarts.org with your request for a fee reduction or waiver.
- Please describe how participating in this competition would contribute to your artistic growth and development.
- How do you envision this experience furthering your musical goals and aspirations?
- What specific challenges have you overcome to reach your current level of musical proficiency?
- How does your dedication to music reflect your commitment to success in other areas of your life?
- How will this opportunity contribute positively to you and your community?
- The application and fee must be received by Saturday, April 18, 2026.
- Contestants will be notified of their audition time one week before May 9.
- Arrive at the competition at least 15 minutes before your assigned rehearsal and audition time.
Questions
Please read the instructions above carefully. If you have any questions, please contact education@daytonperformingarts.org
The Tri-state College Vocal Competition
The Tri-state College Vocal Competition (established in 1989 for Ohio) was expanded to three states in 2006 by the Opera Guild of Dayton. Up to six finalists are selected in the virtual preliminary round, then the finalists will compete in-person before a panel of judges.
This competition will be held in-person on Saturday, May 9 at Wright State University in the Creative Arts Center (3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy, Fairborn, OH). The deadline for applications is Saturday, April 4, 2026. You can complete the online application here.
Eligibility
- Any person (age 18-23) who attends college in Ohio, Indiana or Kentucky, or is a resident of those states and attends college elsewhere.
Repertoire
- Select and record 3 arias in one YouTube link. This link will be shared with the preliminary judges.
- You are encouraged to bring your own collaborative pianist; however, if you wish, you will be assigned a pianist (this service is provided at no charge for the applicant).
Awards
- Accredited professionals in the music field select the winners. Decisions of the judges are final.
- There are monetary prizes awarded:
- First Place – $3,500
- Second Place – $2,000
- Third Place – $1,000
Steps to Submit Your Application
- Click here to complete the online application form.
- The $30 application fee can be paid online here or mailed to the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance, 126 N. Main St, Suite 210, Dayton OH 45402. Checks can be made out to “DPAA” with the memo line stating, ‘TSCVC – Applicant’s Name.’ If a contestant withdraws from the competition for any reason after submitting their application, the fee will be retained by the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance. If the application fee is a barrier to your participation in the competition, we are happy to reduce or waive the fee. Please select one of the following questions and email your response to education@daytonperformingarts.org with your request for a fee reduction or waiver.
- Please describe how participating in this competition would contribute to your artistic growth and development.
- How do you envision this experience furthering your musical goals and aspirations?
- What specific challenges have you overcome to reach your current level of musical proficiency?
- How does your dedication to music reflect your commitment to success in other areas of your life?
- How will this opportunity contribute positively to you and your community?
- The application and fee must be received by Saturday, April 4, 2026.
- You will be notified if you have been selected as a finalist by Wednesday, April 15.
- Arrive at the competition on Saturday, May 9, at least 15 minutes before the scheduled time.
Questions
Please read the instructions above carefully. If you have any questions, please contact education@daytonperformingarts.org