Olivia’s YAGP NY Finals
My name is Olivia, I am 17 years old and currently training at Elmhurst Ballet School in Birmingham, England. I began ballet age 3 at my local dance school, Geraldine Lamb Dance School (based in Cornwall), before I began full-time vocational training, age 11 at Elmhurst.
In February 2017, I was selected to represent the United Kingdom at the Cecchetti International Classical Ballet Competition in Florence, Italy later that year in August. Following my progression through to the finals, I was awarded a scholarship to attend the Youth America Grand Prix regional semi-finals held in Paris in late November, once again representing the UK. I was fortunate enough to progress through to the finals placing in the Women’s Top 12 of the Senior Age Divison. I have now been invited to attend the YAGP New York Finals in April 2018.
My school have been extremely supportive in regards to my preparation for the competition however are unable to provide any financial support or assistance. My parents are both nurses working for the NHS, alongside my eldest brother studying at Plymouth University and my other brother also training at Elmhurst. Financially we are struggling to fund this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity as well as finding the money for school fees and of course the necessities a ballet dancer needs- a lot of pointe shoes! So please help me forfill my dream and travel to NY to aid my training and open many doors in my career.



In February 2017, I was selected to represent the United Kingdom at the Cecchetti International Classical Ballet Competition in Florence, Italy later that year in August. Following my progression through to the finals, I was awarded a scholarship to attend the Youth America Grand Prix regional semi-finals held in Paris in late November, once again representing the UK. I was fortunate enough to progress through to the finals placing in the Women’s Top 12 of the Senior Age Divison. I have now been invited to attend the YAGP New York Finals in April 2018.
My school have been extremely supportive in regards to my preparation for the competition however are unable to provide any financial support or assistance. My parents are both nurses working for the NHS, alongside my eldest brother studying at Plymouth University and my other brother also training at Elmhurst. Financially we are struggling to fund this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity as well as finding the money for school fees and of course the necessities a ballet dancer needs- a lot of pointe shoes! So please help me forfill my dream and travel to NY to aid my training and open many doors in my career.
Organizer
Olivia Parham
Organizer