Hello, I am Noelle Nardone, Kelsey's mother, I am here to help facilitate her fundraiser. Kelsey is an incredibly hard worker, she is a real go getter and she wants to help offset costs associated with attending two highly competitive ballet summer intensives, in two fantastic but expensive cities! Please see what Kelsey wrote about herself below, she even investigated the approximate costs associated with summer. I will manage this campaign for her.
My name is Kelsey, I am 16 years old, and I am pursuing my dream of becoming a professional ballerina.
I currently train at The HARID Conservatory, one of the most selective and internationally recognized professional ballet schools in the world. HARID is a full-time residential program where I live, study academics and music, and train in ballet every day alongside dedicated dancers from around the world.
Ballet is not just something I do, it is my way of life. Every day requires discipline, sacrifice, and an incredible amount of hard work, but it is also the most meaningful and inspiring path I could imagine.
A major part of a professional dancer’s training is attending summer intensives. These programs allow young dancers to train with world-class teachers, experience different ballet styles, and connect with professional companies.
Since the age of 12 I have been fortunate to attend several highly respected programs including:
• School of Philadelphia Ballet
• Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet (CPYB)
• The Rock School for Dance Education
• Ellison Ballet in New York City
• The HARID Conservatory Summer Intensive
• John Cranko Schule intensive in NYC
These experiences have helped open important doors in my training. Last summer, after attending HARID’s intensive, I was invited to join their year-round conservatory program.
This summer I have been accepted to the American Ballet Theatre Summer Intensive in New York City (5 weeks), and I have also been offered the incredible opportunity to attend the Royal Ballet School Summer Intensive in London (3 weeks).
Both programs are extremely selective, especially for my age group. Training at both would allow me to learn from some of the most respected teachers and dancers in the world and would be an important step toward a professional ballet career.
The timing of these programs makes it possible for me to attend both this summer, an opportunity that could have a major impact on my development as a dancer.
Unfortunately, due to decreased funding in the arts this year, The Royal Ballet School was unable to offer financial aid for its summer intensives, which makes attending even more challenging for many dancers.
Below is an estimated breakdown of the costs involved:
American Ballet Theatre – 5 Week Summer Intensive (New York)
• Tuition: approximately $4,300
• Housing and meals in NYC: approximately $2,500
• Local transportation: approximately $300
• Medical / program insurance: approximately $450
Royal Ballet School – 3 Week Summer Intensive (London)
• Tuition (non-residential): approximately $3,300
• Housing in London (3 weeks): approximately $2,100
• Food and meals: approximately $600
• Round-trip airfare (student): approximately $1,000
Additional Expenses
• International travel insurance / SI insurance (estimate): approximately $650
• Pointe shoes ($126 per pair, approximately one pair per week for 8 weeks): $1,000
• Other dance supplies and training materials: approximately $300
Estimated total cost for the summer: $17,000–$18,000
Last year I had to pass up an amazing opportunity to travel to Stuttgart, Germany after being invited to visit the John Cranko Schule following their partnering intensive in NYC. I hope that this year I can fully take advantage of the opportunities in front of me.
I am raising funds to help cover these training costs so that I can continue pursuing my dream of becoming a professional ballerina.
Any donation, no matter the amount, would mean so much and help support my training and future in ballet.
This journey requires dedication, sacrifice, and the support of a community that believes in young artists.
Thank you for believing in me and supporting my dream.
Kelsey
Organizer
