Summer Dance Training for Ella

Becoming a ballerina is a familiar hope for many little girls, but we began to see, a few years ago, that for Ella, it may be more than a girlish fantasy. For this eleven year old little dancer, it could become a dream realized.

We live in a small town, and there aren't many local options for dance training, so four years ago, we made the decision to enroll her in a ballet academy over 50 miles from our house. Along with well exceeding the requirements in academics above grade level, she takes ballet technique three times a week, pointe technique twice a week, as well as repetoire, modern, and character dance. Ella enjoys all of her classes, but her truest and dearest love is ballet.

Unfortunately, this fall, Ella injured her foot rather severely. She was put in a boot for three weeks and unable to dance for nine weeks.

Now that her foot has healed, Ella is back in class and working harder than ever to try and get back into shape.

In addition to classes at her home studio, Ella was accepted into a young dancer's program in NYC two years ago, and last year, she was invited to attend a two week young dancer's course in Pennsylvania. Her experience there was beyond compare. Ella has been able to study under some wonderful teachers during her years of study and would love to continue her training over the summer months, receive private ballet classes to help her gain back strength lost during her recovery, and hopes to return to Pennsylvania this August. We are so proud of the dedication that Ella has to her art, but unfortunately, it gets costly. The summer months afford her the chance to spend more time in the studio taking extra classes, but this means her usual dance tuition increases to accommodate the increased hours, private lessons cost $60-$75/hour, tuition to the young dancer program, travel expenses, room and board, registration fees, uniforms, dancewear, ballet slippers, and pointe shoes will see our costs soaring above $6,000 and well above our affordable budget. Everything must be paid by the last week of May to ensure Ella can participate in all of her classes and programs.

It is for this reason that we are turning to our friends and community to ask for support. We ask that you please share Ella's story. Every little bit helps to add up to the gift of dance for this bunhead. We will continue to share pictures and videos of Ella's progress on the Instagram account PigeonsThatDance, as well as updating her story her, so you can follow her dance journey.

Words cannot express what it would mean to all of us to be able to afford this opportunity for Ella. We would like to thank you, in advance, for any shares, donations, or assistance with helping us to achieve her goals.

Thank you, thank you a million times over.