Fund Juju's NYC Ballet Training

Hi my name is Juliana Kelly (Juju) I'm 12 years old and dance is my life!

From the moment I was in my mom's stomach she called me her tiny dancer. I started dancing when I was 3 years old and have loved it ever since. My life took a turn when 2.5 years ago my mom got an email that said I got invited to join Charlottesville Ballet Academy's Pre Professional Program. This life changing opportunity inspired me to begin thinking about becoming a professional ballet dancer. I'm currently in the middle of my third year training in the Pre Professional Program. Each year my training hours increase and so does my time in the studio. Every hour I spend in the studio I see my technique grow and improve.

With this program you are required to do at least 6 weeks of summer intensive training. If you are not sure what a summer intensive is, it is important to keep up your training and skills over the long summer break so that when you come back you do not fall behind. In 2023 I trained at Charlottesville Ballet Academy’s Summer Intensive Program. Last year my friends encouraged me to audition for The School of American Ballet (SAB) and The American Ballet Theater (ABT). I said yes for the experience and not thinking that I would get in. To my surprise and shock I got accepted into both NYC based programs. While both of these were exciting opportunities and not expecting that I would get in, my family was unprepared financially. We had to choose only one program. I really wanted to attend SAB, and thankfully this program was the more affordable choice. In addition to SAB I attended Charlottesville Ballet Academy Summer Intensive Program. This year I auditioned for SAB and ABT for the experience. Sadly I did not get into SAB but I did get into ABT NYC Young Dancer Summer Workshop! I will also attend Charlottesville Ballet Academy Summer Intensive Program.

I’m super pumped about this opportunity! However this opportunity will cost more. We need to find a 2 week hotel stay in NYC, 2 train tickets, food and program tuition. To relieve the stress of money to my family I would like to raise enough money to pay for our hotel stay and program tuition. I am grateful for any amount of donation towards making this opportunity happen. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for hearing my story.

I have set a goal to raise $5,500.00