DREAM PROGRAMME IN CALIFORNIA

Hello, my name is Markus Monak. I am 18 years old young choreographer and dancer from Estonia. At just 18 years of age, I have my big life dream. There was an audition for one of the most known dance company's in the US a couple of months ago – Mather Dance Company. I have kept an eye on them for many years and my big goal in life was to get to dance in the company. I chose to apply with knowing, that my chances were not high at all, but in April I got an email – I AM ACCEPTED. On that moment I realized, that hard work gets you places.


Who am I?

I started dancing when I was about 3 years old at my mother’s dance school. As I was spending most of the time in the studio, watching my mom and my older sister giving lessons, I started to try it myself. At first, I started with street dance, but at 13, I found contemporary jazz and ballet, which I fell in love so deeply, that it is the main style of mine now. At the moment, I work in two dance studios across the country besides finishing high school. I also started my own dance company this autumn called Ian Dance Company.

I have won many awards with my work nationally and also internationally. My group of boys is 3-time champions in their category. Also, I have had the chance to choreograph for the band Pur Mudd at the Estonian Movie and TV awards 2018, as well for the radio station MyHits at Estonian Music Awards 2018. My most honorable moment was to perform at the Estonian 201st President’s Gala.


But what is Mather Dance Company exactly?

Mather Dance Company is a dance studio/company in California. Shannon Mather, one of the most prestigious Contemporary Dance Choreographers in the United States, has been the owner and founder of the company for 10 years.

Already for the fifth season, MDC has a program called "Bridge into the Industry", which aims to prepare the dancer for professional life on the international dance scene. By the end of the season, a large number of participants in the program get contracts with some agencies that will help to find work and opportunities in the future.

 

Examples of Mather Dance Company:

 

Autumn Miller (former member)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IO4FoBWlF2Y


Diego Pasillas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMmZ4ODWEEA


Winning Choreographies:


Hanging By A Thread

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPgM15ukWp4


Never Letting Go

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GTgTlLB3LE


How can you help me?


In order to fulfill my dream, I need your help because training in the US is very expensive.

My tuition, traveling and accommodation costs in total more than € 15,000.

I work in many workplaces, and I collect myself as much as I can, but unfortunately, I can't cover all the costs with my strength.

My goal with gofundme is to collect 4500 €, which would be a great help in paying the tuition fee.

Every little donation will help me get a step closer to fulfilling my dream.