Jillians Giordano summer intensive

Hi, my name is Jillian LaFlair and I am a dance major at Kennesaw State University studying both ballet and modern. Since I began dancing 15 years ago, I have developed a deep passion that has led to me wanting to further my dance career once receiving both my bachelor's in dance and exercise science. A dream of mine would be to dance professionally for the Giordano Jazz dance company based in Chicago and currently have been given the opportunity to learn and dance with the company as well as their Gus legacy school.

Over the past few months, I have attended multiple workshop classes in ATL specifically those that brought in artists who work with the Giordando dance company. By doing so in early December I was personally invited to attend the Giordano intensive in Atlanta by Joshua Carter Blake, who currently directs Giordando's second company. During this intensive, I danced from 8:00-5:00 learning the Giordano technique, and working alongside company directors and other dancers from all over the nation. At the end of this intensive was an audition class to attend the summer intensive from June 11-18 in Chicago and was fortunate to receive a scholarship! While attending this intensive I was also working on audition videos to attend Gus legacy, a school for dancers studying the technique and history of Gus Giordano, in July to work with other professionals that could help lead me into a career path with the company. I am happy to say I have also received a scholarship to attend the Legacy school in July from the 23rd-30th.

While this has opened up many doors for me to further my dance education and hopefully lead to a professional career, there are multiple costs required for me to attend. This cost includes but is not limited to air fair, lodging, meals, train tickets, and additional fees to attend the intensive. Currently, I am a full-time college student who works between three jobs a week and fully supports myself. I am asking my family and friends to help fund my dance education and help send me to Chicago for 2 weeks in the summer. If you have any questions about my fundraiser, please reach out to me personally!