Julian's Ballet Dream Summer Program

Ballet performance footage of myself
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUpxct2EbaQ

(ABOVE IS A VIDEO LINK OF MY PARTNER AND I REHEARSING FOR THE ARABIAN IN THE NUTCRACKER)


Hello my name is Julian Alexander Watson, and I am a young African American male ballet dancer living in New York City, studying at the French Academie of Ballet. I truly appreciate you taking the time to read this! I have recently turned 20 and currently have been living in NYC on my own since September 2013, to continue my dance education on scholarship at the French Academie of Ballet. Training here in NYC has been a great experience with many hardships and many successes. I have been living here with no financial support or emotional support , but I am determined to train here because the city offers the greatest oppurtunities to young dancers looking to prosper. Ballet requires years of technical training to be able to perform at a professional level, as well as a costly amount of tuition, and requires a numerous amount of sacrifices. Moving on my own for the first time was terrifying, but to pursue my passion for dance, it was my only option.

Recently, I have auditioned for a Ballet Summer Intensive Program, Ellison Ballet Summer Intensive 2014(http://ellisonballet.com/newsite/getpage.asp?pg=13 )
Being held from June 30,2014 through July 25,2014, here in New York City, that was at the top of my audition list, and after a lot of anticipation, I have graciously been awarded a 50% tuition scholarship to attend. However due to my financial circumstances, I need to raise the other half to be able to attend. I have been living on my own with no financial support for the past 5-6 months. It is very difficult to have people in my life who do not share the same vision and desire to see myself succeed in what I absolutely love to do. I am currently enrolled in the French Academie of ballet school 6-7 days a week while working two jobs , but it is not enough to make ends meet; with bills, including rent, food and transportation. The job market here in the city is very erratic and after months of searching, I landed on a part time overnight job, which I am working 4 nights a week, from 12midnight-8am. Working these hours alongside my dance training is absolutely fatiguing. On numerous occasions I have had to make the decision whether to buy food or have transportation to classes. Very often I will have to ration out slices of bread for sandwiches, and bowls of milk for cereal, as well as skipping a meal. Being the first time I've ever been on my own has become the biggest step in my life to take.There have been days I would have to walk long distances to classes because I could not afford transportation. In pursuing dance, I am willing to accept every obstacle, and I am willing to ask for help in pursuing my dream.

I began ballet about 3 years ago in a Ballet school located in Philadelphia. Throughout the duration of the three years, I would travel back and forth on three different buses, during late hours of the nights (often traveling from my part time job), whether it was snowing, raining, or extremely humid, to and from the ballet school. The oppurtunities have taken me through competitions, nutcracker seasons, and various classical and contemporary performances, and the chance to participate in the Regional Dance Festival of America this past year. These wonderful opportunities have also allowed me to become an International Competitive Latin ballroom dancer. During my summer of 2013, I had been awarded 2 full tuition scholarships for the summer and the year! One here in NYC to the French Academie of Ballet and one to Pittsburgh Ballet Theater School, both of which I attended within that same summer. These training grounds offered me the chance of a life time to come and study in the Mecca and heart of dancing, the Big Apple!

Being able to attend the Ellison Ballet Summer program would allow me to further develop my artistry, technique and self discipline, and push me into the right direction to pursuing a professional career in Ballet. The training within the summer intensive is unparalleled and has brought many bright futures to numerous young talented dancers, and it would be an honor to be able to receive such a high level of training.

Please consider donating, so that I may accept this amazing opportunity to further my artistic development and potential in this art form.

I really want to take the moment to thank each and every one of you for kindly reading through my story, and ask if it can be shared and passed along. Thank you!!!