My Dream: Alvin Ailey Summer Intensive

Some people have music, some people have theatre, some people have painting, or drawing, or poetry... I have dance. Words cannot express the passion I feel about dance, but my body, the movement of dance, can show what words fail to describe.

I have been dancing since the age of 10 and I am now finishing my junior year in high school. I dance six days a week studying ballet, pointe, modern (Horton and Graham technique), jazz, and tap. I have also been a member of a preprofessional dance company, fusion2, for 4 years.

I created this gofundme campaign because I learned this week that I was accepted into the prestigious Alvin Ailey Summer Professional Division Intensive, a dream of mine since I started dancing seriously. However, my family is not able to pay for the entire 6 week program, so I am trying to earn the money by babysitting, petsitting, and other work. But this will not be enough.


I am reaching out to get help with the significant financial cost it takes to attend: $5,400 for tuition and room (but, even this leaves out food and transportation). Without your generosity and help I will not be able to go.

The Ailey company has been one of my greatest inspirations. I watch their videos on youtube nonstop (especially Sinnerman) when I am not dancing or doing homework and I felt so honored to recently see a revival of Revelations. Going to their summer intensive would mean the world to me.

Most important to me, this year, the summer before my senior year in high school, is a crucial time for me to develop as a dancer. It is in fact a turning point in my dance career. In a way, this summer will determine whether or not I can eventually become a professional dancer. Becoming a professional dancer is my ultimate goal, something I want with my heart and soul.

In order to reach this goal, I need to go to the Ailey summer program. The dance training they offer is one of the best programs in America, and I believe under the instruction of the amazing faculty, I will have the tools I need to successfully leap down the road and turn into a professional dancer.

I hope you will consider donating to my campaign to help me become the dancer I aspire to be. Any amount helps, whether it is a penny or a million pennies, because it takes me one more dollar closer to my dream.

Thank You!


(photo credit and song inspiration: Talia S.)