Hello, my name is Veronica!

I am a current sophomore at the Purchase Conservatory of Dance in New York. I have recently been given the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study dance for a semester at the Oslo National Academy of the Arts in Norway.

Studying abroad has always been a big dream of mine, and coming from a very low-income family, opportunities like this don't arise very often. Both of my parents are immigrants, and my mom, who is now a single parent to 3 kids, has raised me to be curious to learn about and immerse myself in different cultures, but unfortunately, due to our financial situation, I have never been able to actually travel outside of this country.

Especially now, in the current state of the world, I am so grateful to have the privilege of creating art and being a part of this community. It is important to recognize how art has shaped our world for centuries. Art forms like Ballet and Opera that are continuously undervalued are the heartbeat of humanity. Being a dancer is so vital to who I am as a person, and I believe that a semester abroad would only further that passion.

I am reaching out for support in helping make this life-changing experience possible. Any contribution, no matter the size, would help me make this dream a reality and get the chance to represent my community, learn and grow as an artist and as a person, and come one step closer to a career that I have dreamed of since I was a little girl.