Get Nellie to the danceWEB Scholarship Programme!

Hi, I’m Nelson Mejia — though most people know me as Nellie. I’m a professional dancer originally from Northern Virginia, now based in New York City, where I’ve been building my career since graduating three years ago. NYC has given me incredible opportunities to perform, collaborate, and grow as an artist — and now, I’ve been offered the chance to take the next big step.

I’m thrilled to share that I’ve been selected for the danceWEB Scholarship Programme, part of the renowned ImPulsTanz – Vienna International Dance Festival. Out of over 600 applicants from 64 countries, I was chosen as one of just 53 participants.

This five-week residency brings together emerging dancers and choreographers from around the world to train, exchange ideas, and develop their unique creative voices — all under the guidance of some of the most influential figures in contemporary dance.

This is a career-changing opportunity.

The scholarship covers a large portion of the program costs, but I still need to raise €2,500 (about $2,700 USD) before June 2nd to cover the remaining expenses and ensure I can attend. These funds will go toward:

-Program fees not covered by the scholarship

-Travel to and from Vienna

-Living expenses while abroad (meals, transit, housing support)

As a freelancer, my work can be unpredictable — and a recent engagement fell through, leaving a gap in my budget I hadn’t planned for.

If you’re able to contribute anything at all, it would mean the world to me. Your support helps make this once-in-a-lifetime experience possible — not just for me, but for the future of my artistic practice and the communities I share it with.

Every donation helps, and sharing this page with your network would be an amazing gift too.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for believing in me and supporting this journey.

With gratitude,

Nellie (Nelson Mejia)

This video is from last year at Impulstanz, in “physical verses” with Damien Jalet+Aimilios Arapoglous.

The photo is from an Austrian photographer, Moritz Frantz.