Hi, my name is Olivia Billows, and I am working to accomplish my goal of becoming a professional ballet dancer. I started dancing when I was two years old at Wayne Ballet Center for Dance Arts in Wayne, Pennsylvania where I developed my love of ballet, which has been a central part of my life ever since. Over the years, it has taught me discipline, resilience, and dedication. I have been training at the School of Philadelphia Ballet with their amazing faculty for three years where I have continued to develop my technique and artistry.
This year I received two incredible opportunities. First, I was accepted to Cary Ballet Conservatory’s summer intensive and Professional Training Program Experience in Cary, North Carolina. Summer intensives are very important to a dancer’s development and allow us to connect with professional ballet companies and other students from around the world. Attending a summer intensive gives me the chance to train for 30 hours each week over a period of seven weeks. At Cary Ballet, I will receive advanced training, and work with their distinguished resident and guest faculty. In previous summers I have had the opportunity to attend summer intensives at the School of Philadelphia Ballet and the Boston Ballet School. The training I have received from these intensives helped me grow tremendously as a dancer. This year I was also fortunate to receive acceptances to several other respected summer intensives including The Rock School for Dance Education, Colorado Ballet Academy, Tulsa Ballet, Sarasota Ballet, and Kansas City Ballet School. I am incredibly grateful for these opportunities and excited to continue growing this summer through the intensive training at Cary Ballet Conservatory.
Second, in early March I was invited to become a full-time student with Boston Ballet’s Professional Division at Walnut Hill School for the Arts beginning in the fall after a highly selective application and admissions process. Walnut Hill is one of the leading performing arts high schools in the country and offers a unique program where students receive both elite training for their art and a rigorous academic education. Admission to Walnut Hill also requires students to demonstrate strong academic performance in addition to their artistic ability. As a student there, I would train closely with world class Boston Ballet’s faculty while also completing my high school education in a supportive academic environment. This opportunity would allow me to continue developing my technique, artistry, and performance skills at a very high level while also pursuing my education. The program is designed to prepare students for professional careers, while ensuring that they receive the strong academic foundation needed for the future. Being accepted into this program is an exciting step forward in my journey toward becoming a professional ballet dancer.
However, the cost of these programs is significant. Unlike many other pursuits, there are very few scholarships available to aspiring dancers. I am raising funds to help cover the expenses of attending summer intensives at Cary Ballet Conservatory and the School of Philadelphia Ballet, as well as continuing my training this fall with Boston Ballet School’s Professional Division at Walnut Hill School for the Arts. Currently, I need to raise $10,000 to cover the initial tuition and program costs for Walnut Hill, which will allow me to accept this incredible opportunity and continue on my path toward a professional ballet career.
Below is the estimated tuition and costs:
Cary Ballet Conservatory Tuition & Room and Board (4 weeks): $6,000
School of Philadelphia Ballet Tuition (3 weeks): $2,635
Travel Expenses: $1,000
Pointe Shoes: $1,000 (approx. $130 per pair)
Boston Ballet School Professional Division at Walnut Hill: partial cost $10,000
Estimated Total Cost: $19,000 - $20,000
My dance journey has been met with a lot of hard work and sacrifice, but it has also brought many incredible opportunities and experiences to grow. Any donation, no matter the amount, would mean so much to me and would help me to continue pursuing my dream of becoming a professional ballerina. Thank you so much for your support!
Laurie and John Billows, Olivia's parents are here to help her manage this fundraiser. Olivia is extremely dedicated towards her academics and dance. She appreciates your support and believing in her working towards her dream.
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