Ballet dreams, help Charlie-Beth get to Michigan!

Hi, my name is Charlie-Beth, I'm 15 years old and an aspiring professional ballet dancer. Everyday I work hard toward fulfilling my dream. I am immensely proud to have recently been selected to represent the UK in an international ballet competition taking place in Michigan in July. I am looking to raise the necessary funds for myself and a chaperone to attend the competition. This is such a wonderful opportunity and I would be extremely grateful if anyone could help support me financially to represent the UK at the Cecchetti International Ballet Competition in Michigan!

A bit more about me and my ballet journey so far...

I began ballet at the age of 7 at Children's Ballet Wales, and instantly fell in love with this beautiful art form! With Children's Ballet Wales (CBW), I have completed Cecchetti Ballet exams and received very good marks. I took my Intermediate exam after just 3 1/2 months of studying for it and gained a distinction. I am currently studying for Advanced 1 which I hope to take in the summer. I have also had the opportunity to perform in many shows with CBW including roles such as young Sleeping Beauty, one of the step-sisters in Cinderella, and most recently as The Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker. CBW is a wonderful local ballet school who have supported all my training and provided wonderful performance opportunities for me.

Over the past 4 years I have had the fantastic opportunity to gain training from some wonderful teachers at prestigious associate programmes around the UK including Elmhurst Young Dancers and The Royal Ballet School Mid-associate programme. I am currently a Senior Associate with The Royal Ballet School, Senior Associate with Ballet Cymru and a Cecchetti scholar.

Alongside my local ballet school and associate training, I train during the week with Ballet Cymru Pre-Professional programme part-time whilst also studying for my GCSEs. My school and Ballet Cymru have both been immensely supportive toward my ballet journey and I could not be more grateful.

I am so fortunate to have gained various scholarships to participate in my training so far and also to attend various summer and Easter intensives at schools such as The Royal Ballet School, Elmhurst, Tring and English National Ballet School. Without scholarships and funding, all these opportunities wouldn't have been possible.

Additional performance opportunities have included performing with English Youth Ballet in Cardiff in their production of Cinderella in Hollywood as one of Cinderella's friends, in the Opera Aida alongside CBW in St. David's Hall in Cardiff, and with Cecchetti Scholars at the Royal Opera House to celebrate the Cecchetti Centenary Gala. I feel incredibly privileged to have such amazing experiences.

I have competed in a few Cecchetti competitions over the years and been awarded prizes such as recently winning the middle category Cecchetti Mabel Ryan Awards held in November 2023.

The dream is to become a professional ballet dancer. My family and I are doing everything we can to help me achieve this dream. Next year I plan to audition for full time ballet schools. The rare opportunity to attend this competition will really help me gain valuable experience of performing on the international stage.

The Cecchetti International Ballet Competition is held once every three years, this year in Michigan. Competitors are selected through a competition selection event. This took place in February at Elmhurst Ballet School. I am so thrilled to have been selected and get the opportunity to represent the UK in this prestigious competition. As a 15 year old I need to have a chaperone with me, therefore I am fundraising to support the costs of flights, accommodation, and any other associated costs.