Hi everyone, this is Jules.

I’m a 21-year-old Filipino ballet dancer currently living and training in Europe. For the past two years, I’ve been studying full-time under a ballet conservatory on scholarship—and I’m proud to be the first Filipino ever accepted into this academy.

Alongside my training, I’ve been working remotely as a freelance social media manager to support myself and ease the financial burden on my family, especially my mother who has raised me as a single parent. Balancing work and intensive training hasn’t been easy, but it has been worth it for the chance to pursue this dream.

This July 2025, I reached a milestone I’ve been working toward for years: I officially graduated. Walking onstage to receive my diploma was one of the proudest moments of my life.

But now, a new challenge has begun.

As I transition into the professional world, I need to cover student loans, living expenses, and the costs of auditions across Europe (such as private coaching, pointe shoes, and travel). While I’ve been doing my best to manage everything, it’s overwhelming to juggle these expenses all at once—especially without steady income yet from company work.

That’s why I’ve decided to open this fundraiser as a leap of faith.

What the funds will go toward:

I am deeply grateful to everyone who has supported me throughout this journey. Every contribution—big or small—helps me stay focused on the next step: finding a professional company where I can continue to grow and represent the Philippines on international stages.

Thank you for believing in me and for being part of this dream. I promise to carry this support with me in every performance and to pay it forward in the future.

To everyone who’s supported me so far, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I carry the Philippines with me in every rehearsal, every performance, and every step of this journey. I promise to pay this forward in any way I can.

You can follow my ballet journey here:

Instagram: [@julesgatapia](https://www.instagram.com/julesgatapia)

Facebook: Juliana Gatapia

Featured articles:

- [TripZilla: Filipino Ballerina in Germany](https://www.tripzilla.ph/filipino-ballerina-bavaria-ballet-academy-germany/9026)

- [MEGA Asia: Beauty Profile – Juliana Gatapia](https://mega-asia.com/beauty/the-beauty-profile-juliana-gatapia-filipina-ballerina/)

- [Isla Mag: The Dance of European Dreams](https://islamag.de/stories/juliana-gatapia-the-dance-of-european-dreams/)

With all my love and deepest gratitude,

Jules Gatapia

Filipina Ballet Artist in Europe