Help Jasmine get to Central School of Ballet
My name is Jasmine Kennedy, I'm 17 years old from Ireland. Over the past year I have attended numerous costly auditions in the UK and in Europe in pursuit to continue my ballet training next year, all on top of studying for my Leaving Cert which I sat this June. I have been offered an undergraduate place at two world-renowned ballet schools for my Third level education: The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and Central School of Ballet in London. I have decided to continue my training at Central School of Ballet in London where I will begin my professional dance training in September. This is a dream come true for me as it has come with numerous years of continuous hard work and dedication.
Unfortunately, however, the costs of pursuing these wonderful opportunities are quite high and I am not in a position to financially cover them. I have competed with talent from all over the world to achieve these places. Only the top ballet students are offered places in these prestigious ballet schools. Unfortunately, the fees for this training are £9,000, per year. With accommodation costs of > £270 per week (excluding food), insurance of £1500, uniform costs of £600, and the cost of one pair of pointe shoes of £70 in which I will need 4-5 pairs per month due to the level of intense training, the overall costs will come close to £25,000 per annum.
To be offered a place at such prestigious institutions has taken 13 years of many hours of daily dance classes at my local ballet studio Coastal Ballet School, training for 2 years online during COVID, all my Royal Academy of Dance grade ballet exams and vocational exams, workshops, performances at various high-profile venues, including the Helix and Samuel Beckett Theatre, as well as auditioning successfully 4 times for the Irish National Youth Ballet company. Like any professional athlete I’ve sacrificed family occasions and normal teenage life, to wholeheartedly pursue my passion and strive to develop my talent with drive and discipline to become a world-class professional ballet dancer.
There is no comparable dance school or course in Ireland, but there is equally no funding for such a course ever since the Arts Council cut undergraduate funding in the early 2000’s.
Any donations made no matter how big or small will be greatly appreciated over the next year. Thank you for taking the time to read about my fundraiser. Even if you aren’t able to donate right now, I’d really appreciate if you took a moment to share my fundraiser with your friends and family as it gets me one step closer to achieving my dream of becoming a professional ballet dancer.
Jasmine
Cinderella performance link: https://youtu.be/uzyXkHIzq-0?feature=shared
Coppélia performance links:
Dawn ~ https://youtu.be/3HNqUYiYOM8?si=dUkQI3hBb1WM-0yJ
Prayer ~ https://youtu.be/UYqg0sStaqo?si=NrJNQLEvW1r7X6ey
