The Laguna Dance Festival will award five $1,000 scholarships to Southern California dancers who are pursuing professional dance careers or who plan to study dance in higher education. Dancers ages 15-19 who live in Southern California are invited to apply. The application deadline is Monday, September 10. Recipients may use funds for studio tuition, summer intensive costs, private coaching, or choreography commissions for competition solos. Laguna Dance Festival's selection committee will evaluate candidates on their career potential, technical skill, performance ability, and talent. Financial need will also be considered.

Artistic director and founder Jodie Gates will announce the scholarship recipients during the 2018 Laguna Dance Festival onstage gala performance on Saturday, October 6 at The Laguna Playhouse. Recipients may also have the honor of performing at Laguna Dance Festival’s annual gala event on May 17, 2019. Applications are available at lagunadancefestival.org/scholarships. Laguna Dance Festival offers the Laguna Dance Festival Young Artist scholarships in addition to its Laguna Beach High School Dance Scholarship, applications for which open in early 2019.