Hi, my name is Emma (she/her). I am a dancer from Japan currently studying a BA in Contemporary Dance at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance.

Dance has been part of my life since I was four years old. It is where I feel most myself, where I’ve found joy, purpose and a sense of belonging. After years of training and returning to it, I have finally been given the chance to pursue the dream that never left me. But I am now at serious risk of having to drop out of my degree.

I am not eligible for Student Finance, which means I am fully responsible for my tuition fees and all living costs in London. To be able to afford my course, I am working multiple jobs alongside full-time dance training. However, this is no longer sustainable.

As the intensity of training at Laban increases, I have less time available to work, meaning I cannot earn enough to cover essential costs. Balancing full-time work with full-time training is also taking a serious toll on my physical and mental health. My tutors have already raised concerns about burnout and have said this level of strain is not sustainable for the duration of my degree. As a dancer, my body is my instrument - and if I become ill or injured, I would lose both my ability to train and my income at the same time.

Without financial support, I will not be able to continue into my second year.

Alongside my studies, I work in dance education and community outreach. I have previously worked with the charity Icandance, supporting young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) through dance, movement, and performance. I currently work with The Place, delivering dance workshops in primary schools for children who might not otherwise have access to dance, culminating in performances at The Place. I hope to build a career that combines performance, creation and accessible dance practice that reaches beyond traditional spaces.

Looking ahead, I aspire to develop my own work and engage in interdisciplinary creation, drawing on my background in theatre, performance art and ballet, alongside the technical and creative tools I am gaining at Trinity Laban. I am fully committed to this path, but the current financial pressure is limiting my ability to focus and thrive in my training.

With this fundraiser, I am asking for the chance to continue my training safely, fully and sustainably.

Your support, no matter the size, would help me stay in education and continue developing as a dance artist. Every donation goes directly towards making this path financially possible.

If you are able to donate, thank you from the bottom of my heart. If you can share this fundraiser, I am just as grateful.

This is not only about me - it is about creating a future where more people, regardless of circumstance, have the opportunity to pursue their artistic passions. I hope that one day I can help make those opportunities more accessible to others too.

Thank you for helping me keep this dream alive.