FALL 2026 LAS APPLICATION

Lang Arts Scholars: Class of 2029

Due on March 20, 2026
Welcome!

Thank you for your interest in the Lang Arts Scholars program at Exploring the Arts.

ETA’s Lang Arts Scholars is a fully-funded program that will invite a cohort of 15 students from our NYC Partner School network to participate in after-school training in the performing arts (music, dance, or theatre) coupled with monthly, Saturday sessions related to college prep and career readiness.

APPLICATION TIP: It is best to complete this application on a computer -- not on your phone!

PLEASE NOTE: Applications submitted with the use of AI (ChatGPT, Open AI, etc.) will NOT BE ACCEPTED. If use of AI is detected in your application, you will be asked to resubmit in your own words.

Directions for Application

This application is for the STUDENT to fill out after reviewing the Family Information Packet with a caring adult.

You should read through the Family Information Packet in its entirety to prepare for the online application.

ETA reviews the student's application and selected students will be invited for an audition and interview that will take place on one day in April or early May. Please keep an eye out on your email for this invitation.

ETA strives to make our application process accessible to all. If you have any questions about the application, or prefer to use video, audio files, or alternatives to submit, please contact Sabrina Alamo at salamo@exploringthearts.org

Arts Partners for Cohort 7:

Selected students will train at the following arts organizations from Fall 2026 to Spring 2029 in 10th, 11th, and 12th grade.

> For Dance: MARTHA GRAHAM SCHOOL OF CONTEMPORARY DANCE

Classes take place at 1501 Broadway, New York, NY 10036

> For Vocal/Instrumental Music: THIRD STREET MUSIC SCHOOL SETTLEMENT

Classes take place at 235 East 11th Street, New York, NY 10003

> For Theatre: BROADWAY BOUND KIDS

Classes take place in midtown Manhattan rehearsal studios.
Part 1: Eligibility Checklist
Yes!Not yet.
Eligibility Checklist:
- I am in 9th grade and passing all of my classes at an ETA NYC partner school.
- I am proficient in my art form, and still developing.
- I want to make a long term commitment through the end of high school toward improving in my art form AND preparing for post secondary life.
- I want a future in the arts and I am curious about what my options are.
- My goals are important to me.
- My family is unable to afford to participate in this level of artistic and college/career prep programming.
- I am not already in a pre-college program.
YesNoI'm not sure

Thank you for your Interest in the Lang Arts Scholars Program

If you selected "No", this means you do not meet the eligibility requirements to apply for this program. Please go back to review the eligibility checklist once more to confirm if you are eligible. If you meet all requirements, please select "Yes" to move forward with your application. If you have any questions, please reach out to salamo@exploringthearts.org.

Part 2: Applicant and Family Member/Caring Adult Information
Student Name*

First NameLast Name
Student Email Address*
student@example.com
Student Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Student Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
YesNo
What high school do you attend?*
Only students from this list of schools are eligible to apply.
Family Member/Caring Adult Name*

First NameLast Name
Family Member/Caring Adult Relationship to the Student
i.e. Parent, Aunt/Uncle, Sibling, etc.
Family Member/Caring Adult Email*
familymember@example.com
Family Member/Caring Adult Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
YesNo
Family Member/Caring Adult Address (Street, City, Zipcode)

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code

Part 4: Arts Training for Lang Arts Scholars
On this page, please rank your first and second-choice arts disciplines and answer all questions that follow.

You are able to apply for up to TWO artistic disciplines. If accepted to the program, you will only be allowed to train in ONE.

You are not required to apply for a second arts discipline, so choose what you are most passionate about!
Select your FIRST choice performing arts discipline:*
In a few sentences, please describe your experience in the arts discipline you selected as your first choice. *
Example: I discovered my love for piano when I took lessons as a child. As I got older, I began to play the piano for my choir. Even though I do not have my own piano, I spend time at home watching videos on YouTube to learn new skills that I get to practice in school.
If applicable, select your SECOND choice performing arts discipline:
Remember: not required!
In a few sentences, please describe your experience in the arts discipline you selected as your second choice.
Example: I love musical theatre. My first choice would be to study vocal music in this program but I am also very interested in building on my acting skills, so I am ranking theatre as my second choice. I have experience performing in my summer camp's production of Legally Blonde Jr. and I really enjoyed acting in the ensemble!

Part 5: Short Answer Section
In this section, answer the following question for each category: artistic, professional and personal development.

Please use your own words to answer this! We want to learn more about you and your goals!

Any answers that are detected to be generated by AI will not be accepted and we will ask you to resubmit your answers. If you are having trouble writing this in your own words, please reach out to us at salamo@exploringthearts.org. We're here to help you out!
What are your short-term and long-term goals in each of the following categories? What steps might you take to achieve each goal?
Artistic Development: (Growth in your skill/ability in your art form)*
Example: One of my short term goals is to find a healthier technique for transitioning into my falsetto. In order to do this I need to attend every voice class, give my best effort at all times, ask for help when I need it and not strain my voice if it needs rest. I wonder if this is something Third Street Music School can help me with? One of my long term artistic goals is to go to a conservatory. I think the steps I need to take to get accepted into a conservatory are similar to the steps for college, but I am not completely sure. I know that you can audition for some colleges, but is the preparation for a college audition the same for that of a conservatory? I am not sure, but I think that this program can help me find out.
Professional Development: (Progress specific to educational pursuits and career readiness)*
Example: My short term professional goal is to learn better auditioning skills. I know that I want to study the arts in college, but I've never had to audition for anything before. I don't attend a performing arts school, and even though we have a drama class, we aren't required to audition. Recently, I've been wondering, how I will be able to audition for college without any auditioning experience? How do I even know if what I am learning now is preparing me for college level acting? If I join the Lang Arts Scholars program, I really think I can learn more about my craft and auditioning. My new long term professional goals would be to open up an acting school, but I definitely need to develop my skills so I can teach other people. I hope this program can help me land at a college that will put me in the best position to become an arts entrepreneur.
Personal Development: (Progress that builds character, defines individual values and/or improves interpersonal communication)*
Example: My short term AND long term personal goal would be to have more patience with myself and others. Sometimes I get so focused on perfection that I will give up on something if I'm not getting it right away. I forget it takes time to build a skill and it's okay to not be perfect the first time. But sometimes I wonder if taking so long to learn something means it's not for me? Or does it mean I'm not teaching myself the right way? I'm not sure. But, I do think not having patience can affect me longterm when it comes to working with groups, doing well in college and even in the future when I start working. I think that the mentors I meet in this program will help me to hold myself accountable to this goal.
Bonus Question:

If your friend was about to get on a helicopter and they only had 30 seconds to listen to you tell them about why you are so excited to join the Lang Arts Scholars program, what would you say?
(This is an opportunity to show us how much you were able to learn about the program from the Family Information packet, information sessions, or from current program students)*

Part 6: Mid-Year Report Card
Please upload your mid-year report card or transcript below. We ask for this to verify that you are passing all of your 9th-grade classes!

A picture or a screenshot will be sufficient.

If you do not have it at this time, you must email a photo or file by the application's due date on March 20th.

Please email it to Sabrina Alamo at salamo@exploringthearts.org.

APPLICATION TIP: If you have trouble accessing this, reach out to your guidance counselor or ask a teacher how you can find it.
File Upload [Mid-Year Report Card]

If you are unable to upload it today, do not forget to email it!
Cancelof

Part 7: Student Recommendation Form
You are required to get ONE recommendation from an adult who is not in your family.

We will send this person a form to fill out. They should not write a letter. We will ask questions pertaining to your art form, your strengths, and how you work with others.

You will be best served if you select an adult who can speak about your experience in your art form. If you do not have a person in mind, you can ask a school teacher in an academic subject or an adult who knows you from something you do outside of school (i.e. asking a teacher, spiritual leader, or a coach).

*If you do not have a recommender's contact information at the time of filling out this application, please enter "Recommender TBD" in the sections below. Once you have your recommender's information, please contact salamo@exploringthearts.org with your recommender's name, email, and their relationship to the student so that we may reach out to them.

APPLICATION TIP: Let your recommender know that you submitted their name and email address to ETA and to expect an email from us. That way, they will be ready for our email when it arrives and be familiar with the program!
Recommender Name:*

First NameLast Name
Recommender Email:*
myrecommender@gmail.com
Recommender's Relationship to Student*
(ex: Music Teacher, Pastor, Coach)

Last step!

For your application to be considered complete, you will need a Parent/Caring Adult to fill out the Family/Guardian Certification Form. This can also be found on the last page of the Family Information Packet.

Taking a photo of the signed form will be sufficient, as well as electronic signatures.

Please upload it below or email it to salamo@exploringthearts.org.

You must submit this by the application deadline: March 20, 2026 at 11:59pm.
File Upload [Parent Certification Form]

If you are unable to upload it today, do not forget to email it!
Cancelof
If you have completed all pages of the application, please hit SUBMIT! If you would like continue working on your application later, please hit SAVE, and return to it by March 20th to submit. Any additional materials you would like to send with your application (performance videos, etc.) can be emailed to salamo@exploringthearts.org.

ONLY APPLICATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED WILL BE CONSIDERED.
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Lang Arts Scholars: Class of 2029

Part 1: Eligibility Checklist

Thank you for your Interest in the Lang Arts Scholars Program

Part 2: Applicant and Family Member/Caring Adult Information

Part 3: Applicant Demographic Information

Part 4: Arts Training for Lang Arts Scholars

Part 5: Short Answer Section

What are your short-term and long-term goals in each of the following categories? What steps might you take to achieve each goal?

Bonus Question:

Part 6: Mid-Year Report Card

Part 7: Student Recommendation Form