Misha's Pro-Dance Training Fund
Donation protected
Misha's story:
My name is Michaele Skye Glouchkova (Michael like the boys' name), but my friends and family call me Misha. I am 17 years old. My dream has always been to dance professionally in a ballet company. I have trained in ballet since age 3 and am currently a junior in high school. Each summer, since the age of 11, I have auditioned and attended a ballet intensive. I have gone to ABT, Houston Ballet, Ballet West (3 times) and Miami City Ballet. The cost of these programs is exorbitant and each year, the price goes up ($5600 - $6100 for a 5 week summer program).
Every dancer dreams of being invited to attend a prominent ballet school's year round program - it is the next step into hopefully dancing with a professional company. Last summer, I was offered a position in Miami's year round program - their Trainee Program, but due to cost, my parents could not afford to send me and it would have made attending/finishing school very difficult due to the schedule of 8:30 - 5:30 every day. I chose to come home, work hard on my technique and artistry, and try again for this season. I decided I wanted to homeschool this year, even though it meant losing my #2 ranking in my high school class, so I could concentrate on dancing and hopefully graduate early by combining my Junior and Senior years. It has been a hard year transitioning to cyber school and although I will finish my junior year, I will still need to finish two more classes for my senior year to graduate.
This audition season has gone very well for me. I have currently been accepted into 5 summer programs: ABT-NY, Atlanta Ballet, Miami City Ballet, Joffrey Ballet (Chicago) and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. Joffrey has accepted me into their Trainee Program - a huge honor - for next school year 2017/18, and Pittsburght Ballet Theatre has given me a scholarship toward the Summer Instensive as well as invited me into their year round program, too. Both are wonderful schools and companies. Both are in expensive cities.
Tuition for these schools is roughly $6000 per year just for tuiton. Housing is $1000 + per month - approximately. I would still have the expenses of food, pointe shoes, dance attire, and just life's incidentals. It adds up fast!
My parents put whatever money they can into a "summer intensive pot" each month in preparation for me to go away for summer, but it's never truly enough. We have to use it for pointe shoes (mine are $100 per pair) , audition fees, costumes, etc. They also have to save something for my little sister (she's 10) for summer so she can do something, too. My parents understand my dream to dance professionally and to go away to study, and they are trying to make that happen as best they can. They, too, were dancers and know how hard this life is.
The competition is tough, and there is always someone waiting to step in and take your spot. I have been offered a tremendous opportunity to go study and dance and do not want to lose that chance to see if I have the talent and strength to make this my career. This is my dream, my livlihood, my passion, my all being.
It is WHO I am.
I am seeking financial support to allow me to attend a two year training program with a professional ballet company. Funds raised through my GoFund Me page will cover approximately 50% of my total estimated cost for two years. The balance of which I plan on supplementing through jobs and the help of my parents where they can. At present, my offers are to attend Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre or Joffrey Ballet (Chicago).
Any contribution is immensely appreciated!
My name is Michaele Skye Glouchkova (Michael like the boys' name), but my friends and family call me Misha. I am 17 years old. My dream has always been to dance professionally in a ballet company. I have trained in ballet since age 3 and am currently a junior in high school. Each summer, since the age of 11, I have auditioned and attended a ballet intensive. I have gone to ABT, Houston Ballet, Ballet West (3 times) and Miami City Ballet. The cost of these programs is exorbitant and each year, the price goes up ($5600 - $6100 for a 5 week summer program).
Every dancer dreams of being invited to attend a prominent ballet school's year round program - it is the next step into hopefully dancing with a professional company. Last summer, I was offered a position in Miami's year round program - their Trainee Program, but due to cost, my parents could not afford to send me and it would have made attending/finishing school very difficult due to the schedule of 8:30 - 5:30 every day. I chose to come home, work hard on my technique and artistry, and try again for this season. I decided I wanted to homeschool this year, even though it meant losing my #2 ranking in my high school class, so I could concentrate on dancing and hopefully graduate early by combining my Junior and Senior years. It has been a hard year transitioning to cyber school and although I will finish my junior year, I will still need to finish two more classes for my senior year to graduate.
This audition season has gone very well for me. I have currently been accepted into 5 summer programs: ABT-NY, Atlanta Ballet, Miami City Ballet, Joffrey Ballet (Chicago) and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. Joffrey has accepted me into their Trainee Program - a huge honor - for next school year 2017/18, and Pittsburght Ballet Theatre has given me a scholarship toward the Summer Instensive as well as invited me into their year round program, too. Both are wonderful schools and companies. Both are in expensive cities.
Tuition for these schools is roughly $6000 per year just for tuiton. Housing is $1000 + per month - approximately. I would still have the expenses of food, pointe shoes, dance attire, and just life's incidentals. It adds up fast!
My parents put whatever money they can into a "summer intensive pot" each month in preparation for me to go away for summer, but it's never truly enough. We have to use it for pointe shoes (mine are $100 per pair) , audition fees, costumes, etc. They also have to save something for my little sister (she's 10) for summer so she can do something, too. My parents understand my dream to dance professionally and to go away to study, and they are trying to make that happen as best they can. They, too, were dancers and know how hard this life is.
The competition is tough, and there is always someone waiting to step in and take your spot. I have been offered a tremendous opportunity to go study and dance and do not want to lose that chance to see if I have the talent and strength to make this my career. This is my dream, my livlihood, my passion, my all being.
It is WHO I am.
I am seeking financial support to allow me to attend a two year training program with a professional ballet company. Funds raised through my GoFund Me page will cover approximately 50% of my total estimated cost for two years. The balance of which I plan on supplementing through jobs and the help of my parents where they can. At present, my offers are to attend Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre or Joffrey Ballet (Chicago).
Any contribution is immensely appreciated!
Organizer
Melissa Glouchkova
Organizer
Round Rock, TX