By Cherri Gregg

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – The University of the Arts is hosting the 2012 National High School Dance Festival this weekend, and there are tutus and leotards all along South Broad.

Dancers have taken over the Avenue of the Arts, as more than 1,300 students from around the country gather for the bi-annual opportunity to preview undergraduate dance programs at dozens of universities.

“It’s a dancing village,” says University of the Arts Director of Dance Dana Faye Burchfield. “I was talking with the founder and executive director Kathryn Kearns, and she said this is the only place in the world like this where high school students can come to one place and see this many colleges at one time.”

There are dozens of classes, performances by professional dance companies such as Philadanco, and auditions for dance programs.

Anna Lee Harlow is a U of Arts modern dance major, and she says the festival is a great opportunity for young dancers.

“For me, it saved a lot of money. Being able to audition for, like, seven places at one location…getting a chance to figure out what you like and your style in dance if you haven’t found it…” Harlow says.

The National High School Dance Festival runs through Sunday.