Help Israel Dance - Alvin Ailey

Israel Must Dance and Dance I Must! 

My performance at the audition for The Ailey School Summer Intensive earned me an Ailey School Awakenings Professional Division Scholarship supported by The William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust.  

This scholarship is awarded to a select group of very talented dance students and covers the full tuition/fees of the Summer Intensive. In addition, this award includes a $2,000 housing stipend which has been applied towards housing at the Fordham University McMahon Hall Dormitory. My family and I are incredibly proud to be one of the few recipients of this Scholarship. 

My mother has told me that I’ve been dancing since I was in her belly.  Dancing grounds me and lifts me simultaneously and it is dance which has given me calm in the storm and strength in the quiet moments of my life.  Regardless of the obstacles in my path, I will persist and dance.  Time has taught me that support along my journey can grant me to opportunity to dig deeper and focus so that I can train and reach beyond the unreachable. 
                                                  
Although I am a scholarship recipient, there are additional costs that need to be met.  At this time, my family is experiencing several unexpected hardships which prevent and seriously limit my family’s ability to cover most of the additional expenses.  My family has estimated the outstanding funding needed to be a minimum of $4,400. The extent of the additional expenses include the remaining housing balance ($870), roundtrip airfare to and from New York (estimated to be $200-400), baggage fees ($120), incidentals such as meals, transportation in the city and Ailey sponsored events (estimated to be $2,500 for the 42 days that I will be in New York) and additional dancing attire ($500).

This scholarship is only the beginning of a life changing experience for me as a dancer and a person. In my career as a dancer Alvin Ailey is not just something to be put on my resume but something so much more. Alvin Ailey for me is a chance to gain knowledge and wisdom in a field of dance that I was lacking in. I am very eager for this six week journey and what it has to offer to my life. I know no matter what, I will not be disappointed by the end of this experience mentally or physically. I cannot express how thankful I am for this incredible opportunity to attend Alvin Ailey’s summer intensive. 

The Summer Dates of the Ailey intensive are Monday, June 25, 2018 – Friday, August 3, 2018.

No increment of support is too small and no limit exist to the extent of my sincere and genuine appreciation for all contributions made towards my pursuit of dance greatness.  I am exceedingly appreciative of every single donation made here!  I would be happy to send you a personalized letter/e-mail/short video thanking you and telling you about my experience in New York once I arrive. 

Again, thank you kindly and thank you in advance.

Israel Del Rosario
Dancer on an Alvin Ailey Mission