Abigail's summer ballet fund

My name is Abigail Pye.  I have been dancing since I was three years old (mainly ballet).  I am currently seventeen years old, and have been dancing for fourteen of those years.  Ballet is my passion.  Ever since I was three, I have loved ballet.  I live, eat, sleep, and breathe ballet.  There is no place I would rather be than on stage or in the ballet studio. 

This year, I auditioned for Houston Ballet, Ballet Austin, Colorado Ballet, and Pittsburgh Ballet Theater.  I was offered an opportunity to train in all of these programs and to attend their summer intensive workshops.  My preferred locations are Ballet Austin and Pittsburgh Ballet Theater. 

Last year, I was given the opportunity to attend Ballet Austin’s summer intensive workshop.  It was the most eye-opening, growth-filled, amazing experience.  I became a stronger and more confident ballerina in just the three weeks I was able to attend.  Through this experience, I realized that I want to dance professionally. Attending the summer intensive at Ballet Austin was a dream come true.  Pittsburgh offers an intensive and professional program that fits my ballet style.  I would like to either return to Ballet Austin or go to Pittsburgh Ballet Theater this summer. 

Here is my problem: my family does not have enough money to send me this summer.  My mom saved for two years in order for me to attend last summer.  We also received some additional funds from Go Fund Me donations and some private donations from friends.  This year, we just do not have the base funds to allow me to go to Ballet Austin or any other summer intensive workshop. 

My mom is a single mom raising my twin brother and myself.  She is a seventh-grade Language Arts teacher and works several other jobs, just to pay the bills.  We have never received any child support from my father.  My mother has raised us on her own.  She is raising two children on a meager teacher’s salary.  We live with my grandmother, who is unemployed (my mom helps to support her also).  My mom helps with the house bills and does all the grocery shopping and pays for most of the things we need at home. 

I am a straight-A student, ranked 2 of 235 students in the junior class, and the top female student in Physical Education and Dance at my school.  I have been in accelerated classes throughout my high school career, and am currently taking four Advanced Placement classes in my junior year.  My weighted GPA is 4.38 and unweighted is 3.94.  I am a member of the National Honor Society and hold education as highly as I do my ballet training.  I dance for upwards of 25 hours per week and still maintain this top academic success. 

I am asking for help from my friends, family, community, and strangers.  If anyone can help me get to Ballet Austin or Pittsburgh Ballet Theater this summer, I would greatly appreciate it.  If everyone who reads this Go Fund me page donated at least $20, I could probably get to Ballet Austin or Pittsburgh without my mom being forced to tell me that I can’t attend because of financial reasons.  I am grateful for  any amount of donation: large or small.  I am desperate to go back to Ballet Austin or try a new company in Pittsburgh.  All I want to do is dance all summer long. 

I need at least $5,000 in order to attend the full program for either company.  This is a lot of money, but if there are some kind-hearted people who can help me live this dream of ballet, I would be forever grateful.    

Thank you in advance and please share this Go Fund Me with anyone you know.