Fundraiser for Maddy - Boston Ballet SI

Hey, my name is Madelyn (Maddy) Witherspoon. I'm from Edina, Minnesota. I have two little sisters and a dog named Wilson. I currently dance at Ashley Ballet Arts Academy. I've been in my studio's Nutcracker performance for 9 years, and I participate in Ballet Arts Youth Ensemble (BAYE) as well.

 

This summer I’ll be attending the Boston Ballet’s 5-Week Summer Intensive, but I need your help to get there! I've learned so much in Minnesota, but I wanted to take the next step to improve my skills and expand my technique and experience. Going to Boston is a great opportunity to grow as a dancer and as a person overall. I wanted to thank all of my teachers who have helped me become the dancer I am today, especially Mrs. Julie Muskcat, Mrs. Liisa Conway, and Mr. Jayson Douglas.

 

Here’s a description of the Boston Ballet program:

 

Boston Ballet School’s Summer Dance Program (SDP) offers an unparalleled experience for serious-minded, high-level ballet students between the ages of 12 and 18. Each summer, students from around the world are drawn to SDP to immerse themselves in a professional training environment. Under the instruction of an internationally renowned faculty, and alongside a community of like-minded peers, students will develop their passion for ballet while expanding their capabilities as dancers, artists, and performers.

 

The intensive will cost a total of $6600, which includes instruction, a residential stay at Boston University, and meals. This summer I will be babysitting and working on wedding set ups in a floral studio and will apply what I earn to going to Boston. I plan to work as many hours as I can this summer to better afford this program.

 

Paying it Forward

10% of your donation to me will be gifted to Soul Dancers, a charitable program that supports dancers who otherwise couldn’t afford to dance! They have locations in Honduras, Colombia, Atlanta, and Brooklyn and have helped hundreds of dancers to realize their dreams.

 

Thank you!

I can’t wait for the chance to work with new dancers and new teachers. Putting myself out of my comfort zone often pushes me to work harder and perform better. I won’t know anyone, but I know I will like having to make new friends, stay in a dorm and live on my own for a few weeks. Plus, it’s probably great practice for college!

 

I’m excited to learn more while having daily technique classes, daily pointe classes, weekly contemporary classes (modern, musical theater), weekly cultural classes (character, Chinese),

weekly wellness classes (conditioning, stretch), weekly parternering (ballroom, pas de deux), and regular lectures about wellness, dance history, and careers in dance.

 

I’m eager to learn from different teachers with different backgrounds and experiences, including Igor Burlak, who was featured in the George Balenchin Nutcracker, Dalay Parrondo, who was a first soloist at the National Ballet of Cuba, and Maureen Kelly, who performed as a member of the Santa Barbara Festival Ballet, among many other amazing faculty members.

 

Thank you so much for reading and please consider contributing to help me reach my dreams!