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Ivyana's (NEW YORK CITY) Dream!

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My name is Ivyana Robinson.  I am 15 years old and very passionate about my craft. I am aspiring to become a professional dancer! I believe this is definitely my year to shine.  I have worked extremely hard for the past 14 months, and have accomplished so many things both artisticallyand academically.  At the end of my 8th grade year, I was drafted into the National Junior Honor Society!  So I owe it to myself to keep striving, so that I can reach my fullest potential.

In January of 2014, I had an audition in Chicago Illinois, for ChiArts, (Chicago High School of the Arts), the school I attend right now.   At the time, I had no idea that audition would prepare me for the rest of my life.  It was exciting, but very intense. I was 1 out of 1300 freshmen to audition. That day, I had a good feeling in my heart, and knew that I had just done something great. 

Being a student at ChiArts, has given me an opportunity to grow even further as a dancer in my technical training and ability.  Being in a professional artistic environment, surrounded by supportive teachers and other goal driven students, keeps me focused and is pushing me to strive past what I thought I could ever do.

I train 15 hours a week in my conservatory.   I am learning more and more each day about my body, how to prevent injuries and how to take better care of myself.  I am learning what dance can really do for me.   I have always been a hard worker and have loved dance my entire life, but often worried when I was growing up, about my weight.  I felt big and awkward at times, but knew I wasn’t the only one going through this weird stage. I knew that I couldn’t let this get in the way of me focusing on my dance career, aside from how insecure I was feeling.  I couldn’t let those thoughts get into my head.  I knew that I needed to get serious.

I’m very happy that I have family and friends to support what I do.  I’m glad that I was pushed to work hard and never give up.  I thank my mother for “EVERYTHING” she has done to help me be successful in my life!  I grew up in a family of dancers who shared the same dream.  I got my start when I was just 2 years old at my aunt’s dance studio in Boston called The Roxbury Center for the Performing Arts.  My mother and I moved to Gary Indiana when I was 4.  I can remember going into the studio at DancExcel, (my current dance school) by myself when I was a little girl and dancing for hours, non-stop.  I loved making up my own choreography.  I even won a Dance-A-Thon, one year.  On the dance floor is where my heart was then, and still is now.  I can appreciate DancExcel for teaching me how to get into a dancer’s mindset at such an early age “This is my life, this is who I am”. 

I want to thank my DancExcel family, my mom, Ms. Dionne, my aunt, my grandmother, my uncle and cousins, MY ENTIRE FAMILY, and everyone else who has ever believed in me.  I appreciate you because you have inspired me to be GREAT at what I do.  You have given me the courage and confidence to pursue my career professionally.

This past January, I auditioned for three different 2015 summer intensives; Alvin Ailey, Dance Theatre of Harlem, and for Homer Bryant, at the Chicago Multicultural Dance Center.  I can honestly say that I felt more confident auditioning this time around, overall.  I had a lot of support, felt better prepared because I knew more ballet terms, and had been consistently improving upon my technique. 

 When I entered into the studio at the Alvin Ailey audition, I knew that it was time to WORK and prove what I was made of.   So immediately I took in and applied every single note that I’ve ever gotten from any dance teacher I’ve ever had.  I was serious because I knew that going to a summer intensive was so mandatory for my career.  I want to go far.  I want to be the best I can ever be.  I want to be remembered…So with that in mind, I left my heart on the dance floor.   

 When I got the acceptance letter to attend Alvin Ailey this summer in New York City, I felt so accomplished.  I have been working really hard.  I was excited to know that going to Ailey over the summer, would definitely make me a stronger dancer.

I am happy to announce that I have also been accepted into Dance Theatre of Harlem in NYC, as well as CMDC with Homer Bryant in Chicago.  Being in a performing arts high school with other kids who want to dance as much as I do, has helped me tremendously.   We all work together to get to the top and have all been chosen to attend summer dance intensives all over the country.

 I have chosen to attend the Alvin Ailey 5 week summer intensive in New York and would like some help getting there.  I am trying to raise $7000.00!  Can you please help me reach my goal.  All proceeds will go toward my tuition cost, room and board, apparel, and travel expenses. 

Any

gift

, large or small is truly a blessing and I thank you in advance for helping me make a dream come true.   I will continue to make you proud.

Sincerely,

Ivyana Y. Robinson
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Donations 

  • Tony Robinson
    • $139 
    • 8 yrs
  • Anonymous
    • $400 (Offline)
    • 9 yrs
  • Derick Grant
    • $200 (Offline)
    • 9 yrs
  • Anonymous
    • $300 (Offline)
    • 9 yrs
  • Scott Sack
    • $200 (Offline)
    • 9 yrs
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Organizer

Sherice Grant
Organizer
Chicago, IL

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