Hello, my name is Sasha West. I am a 17-year-old honors student studying dance at Atlanta Ballet. I have been dancing since I was eight years old, and plan to become a professional dancer very soon. I have performed in numerous productions, including The Nutcracker, Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, Pas de Quatre, and A Midsummer Night's Dream, just to name a few. Many would say that my dedication and passion for dance is undeniable. Six days a week, seven hours per day, I am practicing, rehearsing and perfecting my craft. Only to come home after an hour-long drive and put in five hours of school work. It’s a rigorous schedule and a tremendous sacrifice, but it’s all worth it to me because I love to dance.

Earlier this year, I attended an audition for The Juilliard School’s summer dance program. The audition was in Miami, and my parents and I almost didn’t make it due to some financial challenges. However, with the help of a family member and a huge sacrifice by my parents, I was able to attend the audition. Three weeks later, I was excited to find out that I was accepted into their program. This is a highly competitive summer program, which only accepts 44 dancers out of the hundreds of applicants that audition live or via video submission. For me to have been accepted was a blessing and a great confidence booster. I am really looking forward to attending Juilliard this summer. But I need your help to make this happen.

The Juilliard School is a world leader in performing arts education. The school’s mission is to provide the highest caliber of artistic education for gifted musicians, dancers, and actors from around the world so that they may achieve their fullest potential as artists, leaders, and global citizens. The summer dance program at Juilliard is for advanced students who are dedicated, disciplined, and dance with a generosity of spirit.

The cost for this training program is $6,000, which includes tuition, room and board, travel to/from New York, and the dance-wear needed for our daily classes. Once again I am asking for your support to help with the cost of attending the summer dance program at Juilliard. Any donation will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your support of my dream.