Hello friends, family, and kind-hearted strangers,

My name is Josie, and I’m a proud mom of an incredibly dedicated 16-year-old ballerina, Milan.

For the past 8 years, I’ve watched my daughter fall in love with ballet—and work harder than anyone I know to pursue it. She’s trained day in and day out, sacrificing weekends, birthdays, and “normal” teen life to chase a dream she holds close to her heart: becoming a professional ballerina.

She’s already achieved what most dancers only hope for. She has been accepted into some of the most prestigious ballet programs in the country—including summer intensives at San Francisco Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, and The Washington Ballet School to name a few. Now, after years of hard work, she’s earned a spot at yet another prestigious school, one of the top ballet schools in the United States—for their year-round program.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

But as a mother who had her young, the financial strain is overwhelming. I’ve always found a way to make things work, and I’ve never wanted to ask for help—but this time, I can’t do it alone.

What We Need:

• $8,000 for tuition

• $1,600/month for room & board (~$16,000 for the school year)

• Plus travel, shoes, and essentials (a single pair of pointe shoes is $100+ and wears out in a week or two)

The total cost is over $24,000/year, and despite working hard and budgeting tightly, I’m at the point where I simply can’t keep up on my own. I’m doing this GoFundMe to give my daughter the chance to follow the dream she’s poured her heart into—and to show her that when a village comes together, anything is possible.

Why It Matters:

Ballet is more than dance—it’s how my daughter expresses her soul. It’s given her confidence, structure, and a future. She dreams of dancing professionally one day, and this program can open doors to major ballet companies and scholarships that could change her life.

If you’ve ever believed in the power of the arts… in giving young people a shot… or in helping someone rise above the odds—please consider helping us.

Every donation, no matter the size, means the world. Even sharing this page helps.

From the bottom of my heart—thank you for supporting not just a dream, but a journey that’s been years in the making.

With gratitude,

Josie & Milan