Pittsburgh Students Enjoy National Dance Festival

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Students at Point Park University participated in this year's National Dance Festival, practicing ballet, jazz and modern variations.

Point Park's Chair of Dance and Associate Artistic Director Reuben Graciani, led one of the first classes.

"I always look for students who are hungry to learn who are open to new ideas and are fearless in their attack and just willing to go for it, even if they're not perfect," he said.

In addition to the master classes, there are 70 college recruiters at the festival. Students auditioned to win scholarships and to attend summer intensive programs.

"I could have done better, but I'm pretty sure everyone will say that," joked Alexa McKone from Oregon.

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Some of the students from Australia say the American way of dance is different.

"All the technique, all the exercises, all the traveling, it's really great to learn new things," said Charlie Powell.

The dance festival is the dream come true for creator Kathryn Kearns.

"It's a festival of togetherness, it's not a competition, for the arts, for the performing arts," she said.

This is the first time this festival has been held in Pittsburgh. It will continue until Sunday.