My daughter, Delilah Is a very passionate, dedicated and amazing dancer. She has focused on ballet for over 13 years. Along the way has added other dance styles including contemporary and jazz to her dance education. Dance has been an integral part of her life for so many years and has been a beautiful release and form of comfort during difficult times. It is not only an incredible artistic sport (LOTS of hard work!), but it has been a big part of her physical and her mental health throughout the years.

The past two summers, she was selected and attended summer ballet intensives in Portland as well as Boston. These experiences are unlike anything she had ever had and she absolutely loved these ballet intensives and all that went with it. They are beyond amazing in so many ways.

This summer she has been accepted into the Kansas City Ballet Summer Intensive. The program is 5 weeks long and is a full time dance (40+ hours per week!) with the focus on ballet. These programs have proven to be incredible experiences for Delilah in both her dance, independence, growth in so many areas of dance and the potential of becoming a professional dancer in the future.

She will be able to dance at the Kansas City Ballet Studios during this summer’s intensive. The teachers are professional and many are “highly acclaimed” ballet dancers from around the world. They also have guest teachers and this summer at Kansas City one of her favorite dancers from the London Ballet will be there as a guest teacher! She is SO excited. During the weekends they take “field trips” with the groups and tour the city and participate in activities together. She is so excited to be able to go with one of her best dance friends as well. I miss her dearly when she is gone for so long, but the experience she has had in previous programs have been beyond amazing and special in so many ways. I want to continue to be able to honor her dreams and hard work and dedication.

Delilah applied to various scholarships however she was not lucky this time around. There are very few scholarships for these summer intensives unfortunately.

I never ever have wanted to ask, and have tried to come up with other options, but this time about 50% of the financial portion of the program is proving to be difficult to acquire. We don’t have the support from her dad this time around, which has made it difficult, and I am feeling like I need to see about asking for a little support from our friends and family.

I completely know and understand the uncertain times many of us are in with financial security. We definitely do not want to ask for donations unless it is something you can comfortably do and feel okay about. And definitely do not want to pressure anyone if you’re not comfortable with our fundraiser. I wish I could hold a gigantic bake sale to be honest! But the reality of life right now has come to just asking our “village”. .

Delilah is an amazing, smart, funny and extremely dedicated and talented 16 year old. I love her more than anything and wish I were in a better position to fund this all on my own. It definitely feels weird creating this go fund me that is for sure. Others, including her teachers, have told me to go for it and ask for donations. So here I am, swallowing my pride and putting this out there. If you can help in any way, Delilah and I would be so grateful. If not, please do not feel obligated at all! I do know there are many other causes in our world right now and others who need support.

The link below talks some about the program in Kansas City:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lv4dNUeTwQw

During the summer I will also share videos and photos of her experiences while away. I am so excited for her and beyond proud of who she is and her passion for dance. I couldn’t be more proud.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read and possibly donate.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

I appreciate everyone’s support and love so much over the years!

Much love,

Kelly & Delilah