The Grete R. Bressner Scholarship Fund

Honoring a Legacy and Inspiring the Future.

Grete R. Bressner as a young girl, smiling and holding a bouquet of flowers.
Grete R. Bressner

GRBSF is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit helping children pursue their passions through need-based scholarships for the performing arts and youth enrichment programs.

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DanceMusicTheaterMartial arts

Helping children pursue their passions.

Our scholarships support participation in dance, theater, music, martial arts, and other eligible educational and extracurricular activities. We believe these experiences foster creativity, self-expression, discipline, resilience, and confidence while equipping young people with valuable life skills that extend far beyond the classroom or studio.

Through the generosity of our donors and community partners, the Grete R. Bressner Scholarship Fund is committed to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to grow, thrive, and pursue their dreams, regardless of financial circumstances.

Young scholarship recipients at Defying Gravity School of Dance holding their GRBSF certificates.
GRB in ActionDefying Gravity School of Dance, Rhode Island

Meet our scholarship recipients.

For the Fontaine sisters, support helps with tuition, costumes, and competitions. For Lucy and Ava, it helps keep training and performance a part of their lives.

These are a few of the young people and families whose stories are part of the Fund.

Explore all recipient stories
Fontaine familyFor Julia and Hannah, the stage is a second home.Read their storyClose story

For sisters Julia and Hannah, the stage feels like a second home. Dancing together is part of the bond they share.

Keeping two dancers in classes and competitions means tuition, costumes, and travel all add up. Their scholarships help with those expenses, so Julia and Hannah can continue training and performing side by side.

Lucy AdamonisHeart, hard work, and the excitement of taking the stage.Read their storyClose story

Lucy brings heart and determination to every class and performance. She is a hardworking dancer who takes real joy in learning and growing with each season.

The scholarship helps Lucy keep training and taking part in competitions. For her, that means more chances to learn and the pride and excitement of stepping onto the stage.

Ava LaFlammeAdvanced classes and competition are part of Ava’s commitment.Read their storyClose story

Ava takes dance seriously. She puts time and dedication into training and wants to become the best dancer she can be.

Advanced classes and travel to competitions are part of that commitment, but the expense can get in the way. Her scholarship helps her keep taking those classes and competing, with more room to focus on the work she loves.

Kindness has a way of carrying on.

It began with a little girl who loved to dance.

Grete R. Bressner was born in Aalborg, Denmark on October 20th, 1940. As a young girl, she dreamed of becoming a ballerina. Through hard work and dedication, Grete excelled and was offered to try out for the prestigious Royal Danish Ballet.

A passion worth making room for.

The Grete R. Bressner Scholarship Fund helps remove financial barriers to approved performing arts, martial arts, and youth enrichment programs.

Need-based support.
Possibility that lasts.

Scholarships are ordinarily paid directly to approved programs on a student’s behalf. Current eligibility, dates, and instructions are shared with each application cycle.

Explore scholarship guidelines
What does a scholarship help with?

Depending on the application cycle and available funding, support may cover approved tuition, workshops, performances, competitions, costumes, uniforms, equipment, and other program-related expenses.

How are scholarships paid?

Scholarships are ordinarily paid directly to an approved studio, school, instructor, or program on the recipient’s behalf. Awards depend on eligibility, available funding, and Board approval.

Where can I find application dates and eligibility?

Each application cycle has its own published criteria, dates, and instructions. Visit our current Application Guidelines for details, or use the contact form to ask a question.

View current guidelines

Honoring Grete’s legacy.

Grete R. Bressner was our beautiful, loving, and vibrant mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother, and our family is deeply honored to support a cause that held such a special place in her heart.

We hope that we are able to positively affect many lives and create a ripple effect of joy and goodness in the hearts of everyone involved. Our goal is to support more young children every year, both in Greater Providence and beyond.

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Grete as a child, holding flowers.

Grete’s story.

Grete R. Bressner was born in Aalborg, Denmark on October 20th, 1940, and passed away at the young age of 42 after battling cancer.

As a young girl, Grete had dreamed of becoming a ballerina and through hard work and dedication, Grete excelled and was offered to try out for the prestigious Royal Danish Ballet.

This success was encouraged by Grete’s mother, who worked hard after Grete’s father passed away and, by the generosity of others, both of which gave Grete the opportunity to attend ballet school.

Our family is deeply honored to support a cause that held such a special place in her heart.

More about our Fund