Ella Willans Ballet student to Ballerina

Shay Wookey is organizing this fundraiser.

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Dear you,

I am Ella Willans. I am 16-year-old ballet student who wants nothing more than to be a Ballerina.

Like most little girls I fell in love with the magic of tutus and tiaras before I could walk ............

My ballet journey began in a small studio in southern Tasmania, Body Language Dance (BLD) now known as Industrie Performing Arts. Thanks to my talented big sister I spent many hours at the studio, stealing glimpses whenever the studio door was left a jar and waiting, there was a lot of waiting. At four I finally joined ballet and was treated to crowns and princess walks. As shy and reserved as I was, my inner Princess was in her element and I was determined to wear a tutu one day.

At 8 years old I moved to WA and followed my sister to our new studio, Katharine Mantle Performing Arts (KMPAA) to pursue our dancing. I remember being completely in awe of the stunning KMPAA dancers, who quickly became my ballet idols. Inspired, I took more ballet classes.

At 11 years old, encouraged by my studio director, I auditioned and was cast in the WA Ballets' Nutcracker. Until very recently I had described this experience as the best of my life. It was during this period that I became absolutely captivated by ballet, not just the tutus and the dancers but the art. I wanted to be Clara.

When I was 12 I was offered the opportunity to enter KMPAAs vocational full-time program, now under the banner of Perth Classical and Contemporary Coaching. I loved ballet so much that missing out on high school and normal teen life was not even a consideration. I wanted to be a Ballerina.

Busking my way Europe.......

Ballet is an expensive dream and I have always worked hard to raise my own money for opportunities to learn or compete outside of the studio. Over the past four years I have travelled to Hong Kong and Europe twice. To get there I have busked in Fremantle, sizzled sausages at Bunnings, taken Pilates classes at the beach, baby sat, actioned good deeds, hosted sleepovers, sold lemonade, entertained elderly residents and tried absolutely anything I could to support my dreams.

In the Summer of 2019/20, I raised the funds needed to travel and take up a short-term scholarship at my dream school, European School of Ballet (ESB) and complete the final audition at another prestigious European school. I prayed that this trip might offer me a placement and more importantly a long-term scholarship, so that I might realise my dream. I felt that I was so close.

Local Fremantle Buskers

The heartbreaking impact of COVID-19......

I never could have imagined how my trip would end. The whispers about COVID-19 seemed more SCIFI then reality. Just a couple of days into our trip the impact of Covid started to become observable, shop shelves full the day before were emptying and Countries were talking about border closures. Then came the devastating blow, my audition shortly followed by my scholarship, were cancelled. I had travelled halfway across the world, worked incredibly hard to fund this opportunity and I would not even step foot in the studios. I was heartbroken and in the midst of this I was mindful of the increasing chaos unfolding around me as Countries raced to limit the spread and protect their people.

For a short time, I felt that Ballet might slip away from me.......

I was acutely aware of the global impact of Corona Virus on the Arts. The ballet world would shrink, opportunities would become more scarce. Of most concern to me personally is there would be less scholarships on offer and the competition for any remaining, would be fierce. For many aspiring artists me included the decline in scholarship opportunities would mean the Ballet might be out of reach. I was terrified of what my future held and for a short time, I felt that Ballet might slip away from me.......

The world for me without ballet is 'an unchoreographed wilderness’.

Encouraged by my teachers and unable to live without ballet it was back to the barre. I continued to work hard, sacrifice moments that other teens my age would consider important and hoped, prayed that my chance would come. At PCCC's directors request I joined a ballet class via zoom with an incredible teacher, Cristina Saso. I did not know at the time that I was attending class with an ESB, my dream school's, talent scout. Cristina and I stayed in contact and after a few short messages on July 3rd, we received a request for a ZOOM meeting with the renowned director of the prestigious European School of Ballet (ESB), Jean-Yves Esquerre

You’re Accepted......

On Sunday July 4th, my dream came true, Jean-Yves had two words for me "You're Accepted" It was surreal and I am still pinching myself. Truly the best moment of my life. I am accepted to one of the most incredible schools in Europe and the school I had been dreaming of.

I humbly ask for your help......

As I had anticipated COVID - 19 wiped out scholarship opportunities for dancers, leaving me and other aspiring artists wondering if we would have to give up on our dreams, give up on Ballet.

Ballet should be for everybody, not just for the wealthy. Now more than ever it important that artists come from diverse backgrounds as they are our story tellers, they have a huge impact on the world around us, they influence culture and sometimes help give meaning to what we cannot understand.

I am so close to reaching my dream I can see you in the audience......

I have worked incredibly hard to get to this point and ESB is an amazing opportunity, the Director has an outstanding reputation and contacts all over the world. His training will provide me the best chance of becoming a Professional Ballerina. I have two months to raise the money I need to take up my placement and as much as I want to, I cannot do it alone. So, I am humbly reaching out to you, my community for your help.