Fuel Laura's Dance Dreams in the US

Hello everyone! I'm Laura Mendes, and I really need your help to keep building my career as an artist, but mostly to keep my dreams alive.

For context, let me introduce myself properly:

Originally from Brazil, I'm constantly broadening my horizons. My curiosity, dedication, and passion for dance lead my life. I'm trained in many dance disciplines, including Classical Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Musical Theater, Modern, Improvisation, Gaga Technique, Forsythe Technique, and choreography composition. I started with Ballet lessons at the age of 4 years old and competed across Brazil from the tender age of 10. At 17 I received early acceptance as a merit scholarship student to the prestigious Pre-Professional Program at the Joffrey Ballet School. Throughout my time at the Joffrey, I was a member and rehearsal assistant of the Joffrey Ballet Concert Group.

I was invited to perform a solo at Tanzolymp (a prestigious international dance festival) in Berlin. In 2022 I was awarded a full scholarship for Orsolina28 and for the world's most praised Dance Summer Program at Nederlands Dans Theater. My participation in the program was acclaimed in a video, produced to capture a day in my life during the time I spent in the Netherlands. I was also given a second-place overall trophy for solo performance at the Joinville Dance Festival (World's Largest Dance Festival, a Guinness Book title it has held since 2005).

I have worked on stage, in film, and in commercials. Some key credits include a commercial for the global lead on hair care brand, Pantene. I was the only dancer chosen for the job and was styled by Chuck Amos (the New Yorker hairstylist responsible for styling Beyonce and Alicia Keys). I was also privileged to work with award-winning director Ariela Dorf as lead dancer on a fashion campaign film for FARM Rio. I recently joined NK//COLLAB as an Artistic Associate under the direction of Noelle Kayser.

All of this experience paved my way to my Visceral. I am a member Visceral Dance Chicago, a faculty member for the Visceral Youth Program, and rehearsal assistant for the Visceral Studio Company, a pre-professional company.

Why do I need your help?

I am Brazilian and my Work Permit Visa is expiring in August.

I am in the process of applying for my Artist Visa, which allows me more time working in the US. The process of getting this Visa is extremely long and expensive.

All costs including Lawyer Fees, Union/Advisory Opinion Approval Letter, Filing Fee (US Government Fee - USCIS Department), printing, mailing, etc, add up to U$5,400.

I am asking help in raising the last US$3,000, needed to apply for an fast-track decision which allows me a better chance to get the Visa before I have to leave the country.

I love my job, It means the world to me to stay here, to keep dancing, to keep teaching, working, to keep my dreams alive, and to make a difference as an artist. I truly want to make it happen because I can't go back after coming so far. I believe my journey in the US must go on. But I can't do it on my own... :")) <3

Please, please, consider donating, all the money raised will be spent to cover the Visa expenses