Aiyana's Alvin Ailey Summer Dance Dream

My name is Aiyana Martin, I was 10 when Judith Jamison came to visit Alvin Ailey dance camp Chicago, she held my face and called me Tiny Dancer! I have been dancing since I was 5 years old and it is truly my passion. My lifelong dance instructors are Lynna Hollis, Kendra Outlaw and Janel Motley. They have been training me my entire journey, and currently I am dance with our Elite Company Team at Chicago Contemporary Dance Theatre. I was shy kids, dance was in my heart I just had a hard time expressing it.



  I would stand in the back of class, bite my lip and just try to get thru class without to much of a fuss. Even being shy, I could not wait to get to dance class! I was dressed, lunch packed and ready before my parents would come downstairs! around age 10 I was doing o.k. in dance, but my dance instructors and parents did not see much growth and were thinking maybe Yanni should try something else?. However my Dance T.T Lynna said she is going to be great, don't take her out! She saw my hunger and my potential. My momma new of the Alvin Ailey Chicago summer camp, (Garfield park Dome) because my older sister had gone there years ago. My Momma thought the programs 5 hour a day training, would help me show what I was made of. That year I was to young to attend, but turns out that my Dance T.T Lynna (CCDT) was great friends with the director of the camp, Lisa Willingham (Alvin Ailey), so she spoke to her on my behalf and I got in. I was the most grueling, intentense, mental and physically draining experience I had ever had, AND I LOVED EVERY MINUTE! I could literally feel myself changing, growing and getting stronger. After that summer, I had grown leaps and bounds in my tech and showmanship Lisa Willingham(Alvin Ailey) picked me to dance in her fund raising project,The Willingham Project! I was rehearsing everyday with adults! It was so exciting. The show was great training! I returned to CCDT and in every dance I was chosen to be in front of all my dances! Me in front! Me Chosen! No more standing against the wall. After that it seemed, I started to run down my dance runway! I went to Ailey camp every summer until I aged out. I stared doing competitions with CCDT. My last year at camp I cut my leg wide open and with a full cast, went to class every day and danced Deliver Daniel with the cast on! (Did I mention I LOVE to dance)! It was time to go to high school! I ONLY wanted to go to Chicago Academy for the Arts (Odgen Ave. & Chicago Ave.) There was a 3 parts to the acceptance process!  the quantitative learning test, the interview, and audition process was, just spooky! I auditioned with a piece choreographed by Lynna (CCDT). I set Fire to the Rain, from the depth of my soul at that audition, (Watch God, cause if you are faithful He will give you the desires of your heart!) And again, I was chosen! Randy Duncan (CAA) sent me an acceptance letter, to the school of my dreams! I pray and work hard each and every day. My body instinctively goes Horton and Graham, but I am getting great in Ballet and Pointe also! I have come to yet and dreamy chosen Road and this time I need your financial help to get there! Help me Dance all the way to New York City! Alvin Ailey Professional Intensive has chosen me, please choose to help me get there!! Click and donate! 



http://www.gofundme.com/85fus Thank you in advance! Smooches Aiyana, (a.k.a) The Tiny Dancer, (a.k.a) Yanni