Corinne's Summer Intensive Fund
Donation protected
Hi! My name is Corinne Brockway, and I'm a fifteen-year-old serious ballet student with an unconventional body type (I'll explain that in a moment) and I'd like your help to fund my training for the summer.
To be honest, I'm a bit uncomfortable asking for money like this. I'm very independent and I like to take care of my own needs, but I can't do this by myself. And I am determined to make my dreams a reality.
You might be wondering what I mean by "unconventional body type". To put it simply, I don't possess any of the physical qualities many companies think a ballet dancer should have. I don't fit into the "tall, extremely thin, long legs, high arches and flexible ankles" category - in fact, I'm quite the opposite! My body type is petite and more compact. But even though my body may not be "ballerina perfect" I do possess a burning desire to dance and to share my love of this performing art with others. I'm struggling to break free of this prejudice because one of the reasons I want to be a professional ballet dancer is to promote the idea that there is not one set standard for beauty, but many. No one should be told they can't follow their dreams because of the body they were born with. Because let's be honest: dancing is WAY more than just having pretty legs and feet.
However... Because of my body type, most ballet schools won't offer me scholarships because they don't think I have as much potential as girls who possess long legs, arched feet, and hyperextended knees. I need your help!
In case you're unfamiliar with the concept of a summer intensive and wondering why it's so important, here's a quote from dance expert Treva Bedinghaus: "Each summer, major ballet schools offer the opportunity for serious ballet students to study with their ballet instructors during intense, 3 to 6 week programs. Students have the option of staying onsite, if they desire to pay room and board in addition to tuition. Over the course of the session, students follow rigorous daily schedules, usually including 3 to 5 classes per day. Great gains in technique are possible during the summer, given the amount of technique classes offered."
Since placement at a Summer Intensive is by audition only, I am already in the process of auditioning at several ballet schools.
Average cost for a summer intensive (with tuition/boarding) is around $5000. This is not including the cost of pointe shoes (usually 1 pair per week and they can cost about $80.00 per pair!), airfare or travel expenses, etc.
If you'd like to follow along with my training and how I'm getting closer to my goals, follow my blog Beside the Pointe: http://besidethepointe.blogspot.com/
Thank you so much for your support! It means the world to me.
To be honest, I'm a bit uncomfortable asking for money like this. I'm very independent and I like to take care of my own needs, but I can't do this by myself. And I am determined to make my dreams a reality.
You might be wondering what I mean by "unconventional body type". To put it simply, I don't possess any of the physical qualities many companies think a ballet dancer should have. I don't fit into the "tall, extremely thin, long legs, high arches and flexible ankles" category - in fact, I'm quite the opposite! My body type is petite and more compact. But even though my body may not be "ballerina perfect" I do possess a burning desire to dance and to share my love of this performing art with others. I'm struggling to break free of this prejudice because one of the reasons I want to be a professional ballet dancer is to promote the idea that there is not one set standard for beauty, but many. No one should be told they can't follow their dreams because of the body they were born with. Because let's be honest: dancing is WAY more than just having pretty legs and feet.
However... Because of my body type, most ballet schools won't offer me scholarships because they don't think I have as much potential as girls who possess long legs, arched feet, and hyperextended knees. I need your help!
In case you're unfamiliar with the concept of a summer intensive and wondering why it's so important, here's a quote from dance expert Treva Bedinghaus: "Each summer, major ballet schools offer the opportunity for serious ballet students to study with their ballet instructors during intense, 3 to 6 week programs. Students have the option of staying onsite, if they desire to pay room and board in addition to tuition. Over the course of the session, students follow rigorous daily schedules, usually including 3 to 5 classes per day. Great gains in technique are possible during the summer, given the amount of technique classes offered."
Since placement at a Summer Intensive is by audition only, I am already in the process of auditioning at several ballet schools.
Average cost for a summer intensive (with tuition/boarding) is around $5000. This is not including the cost of pointe shoes (usually 1 pair per week and they can cost about $80.00 per pair!), airfare or travel expenses, etc.
If you'd like to follow along with my training and how I'm getting closer to my goals, follow my blog Beside the Pointe: http://besidethepointe.blogspot.com/
Thank you so much for your support! It means the world to me.
Organizer
Corinne Brockway
Organizer
Nashville-Davidson, TN