Dreams Start Small

Dreams start small.

I never thought ballet would be my life’s inspiration. But it happened. And I’m only 17.

My name is Gianna Zingone, and I have recently been accepted to the year-round Conservatory program at the Grainger Academy of the Joffrey Ballet in Chicago for the 2025-26 ballet season. This is a dream come true for me and I am so grateful for this opportunity.

As a young girl, I often felt lost, angry and confused. My dad was a single parent, and my mother wasn’t a significant presence in my life. I had a difficult time coping with the emotions that arose. My dad encouraged me to seek out activities that would provide me self-confidence and bring me peace. We tried piano lessons, gymnastics, and horseback riding. They were fun but I never felt any real connection to them.

When I was 8 years old, my dad and I saw a performance of The Nutcracker and he suggested I try taking dance lessons. I took to dance immediately and after I performed in my first Nutcracker, I was hooked. The stage, the costumes, the audience, it all felt like home to me. I wanted more of this.

Everything started changing for me then. I found an escape from my sadness, my anger and my longing for a better life. I felt like I belonged to something. Ballet gave me so much, a sense of purpose, a vehicle for self-expression, daily discipline, perseverance and a desire to succeed. Most importantly it gave me love. Love for dance, love for performing and a much-needed love for life. I finally felt like I was headed somewhere better.

I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for my dad. He has been my biggest supporter and I’m so grateful for the daily sacrifices, the late nights and long drives, the competition weekends and multiple performances that he has endured to get me to this point in my ballet career. His support has been unwavering, and he wants nothing more than to see me live out my dreams.

Dreams do start small. But they can grow through a simple act of kindness. I have created this GoFundMe campaign to help me give back to my dad. The cost of this opportunity to train at the Grainger Academy Conservatory is significant.

And I do have a plan. The first step will be to help me relocate to Chicago. Second, I’ll need to cover the basics, tuition, room and board, pointe shoes and the necessities of dance life. This is where you can make the biggest difference in our lives. A contribution of any amount will help me to afford these and realize this dream.

Acceptance to the Conservatory is but one step in a much longer journey. For those of you able to contribute I will personally keep you updated with pictures and videos of my progress, and I will alert you to any performances that you may be able to attend.

Thank you so much for reading my story and thank you in advance for contributions of any size. I would also be very grateful if you could share this link with your friends and family.

Every donation will be used to help me achieve my professional ballet dream.