Please Help Support Ryan's Journey to Juilliard!

Please Help Support Ryan’s Journey to Juilliard

My name is Angela Fonzo and I am the Owner and Director of Dance FX Studio in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. I am beyond thrilled that one of my very own dance students is headed to The Juilliard School in New York City to pursue his passion! After a lifetime of preparation including countless hours of training and dedication to his craft, this young dancer is moving from our quaint city to The Big Apple! Our small-town boy is getting ready to live out a very big dream and I could not be happier for him!

This is a tremendous accomplishment for Ryan, especially when you consider that Juilliard is a highly competitive institution, with only a 7% acceptance rate. Each year, thousands of artists audition for the school in the hopes of being a part of this prestigious Performing Arts Conservatory, with highly sought-after programs in Dance, Acting and Music. Juilliard attracts applicants from all over the world and its student body consists of artists from over 42 different countries. Ryan is incredibly honoured to be one of the 20 dancers handpicked from across the globe to be a part of Juilliard’s Dance Class of 2027! It is an amazing opportunity for him and one that he is extremely grateful for! It is thrilling to think of all of the wonderful experiences that lie ahead for Ryan as he begins his time at Juilliard!

I am organizing this fundraiser as a way to help support Ryan’s Juilliard Journey. Undertaking study at a world-class institution in New York City is incredibly expensive. Both tuition and living expenses are very high. Being an international student will present additional costs for Ryan. Fortunately, Ryan received a partial scholarship from Juilliard which will help to offset his expenses, which he is extremely thankful for. However, it will still be financially challenging for him, which is why I am looking to raise some funds to assist him as he embarks on this amazing adventure.

The road to Juilliard was an exciting and suspenseful one for Ryan! The pre-screening process consisted of submitting numerous dance videos, recommendation letters, a transcript and an essay. Ryan was ecstatic when he received a callback and learned that he had been offered a live audition at The Juilliard School. During the audition in New York City, a panel of Juilliard faculty members first observed the applicants in a series of dance classes. Those dancers who advanced to the final rounds of the audition performed a solo for the panel and then had an interview. Applicants were told that the dancers who were being offered admission would receive a phone call from Juilliard faculty in the coming weeks. Ryan waited and prayed for the call to come and when it did, it was a magical moment that he will never, ever forget!

I have been Ryan’s Studio Director and dance teacher since he first walked through my studio doors when he was only five years old. We have built a very special bond over the years as I had the privilege of watching him grow up before my eyes. Ryan fell in love with dance instantly and his passion for this art form was undeniable, even as a young boy. Right from the start, I saw something very special in Ryan. I truly felt that he was going to be destined for greatness. He was a stand-out from the very beginning and his light only continued to shine brighter and brighter with every passing year. After a few seasons as a recreational dancer, he joined our competitive dance team and the rest is history…A star was born!

Ryan has worked very hard to get to where he is today. Throughout the years, his commitment to dance has never wavered it has only become stronger. Ryan has always been a focused and determined dancer, striving for excellence in everything that he does. His natural ability coupled with his strong work ethic, helps him to excel as a dancer. His accomplishments are a result of his consistent training and perseverance. Ryan’s accolades speak for themselves. Over the years, he has won many prestigious scholarships, awards and titles at the regional, national and international levels.

I am extremely proud of Ryan, not only for his dance achievements but also because of the exemplary young man he has become. He has so many exceptional qualities. He is humble, sweet, compassionate and very kind. To know Ryan is to love him! He is adored by everyone within our studio community. He is a natural leader and he works effectively with every dancer in the studio, regardless of age or ability. Ryan is not only an ideal student and dancer, but he is now also an amazing dance teacher and choreographer. He is a true role model and mentor to all of the students he teaches and to all of his fellow dance mates.

It still seems unbelievable that this dancer from a small studio in St. Catharines, Ontario has forged a path for himself straight to New York City! It is incredible to think that his talent took him all the way to the school that he has always dreamed of attending one day…The Juilliard School!

Thank you for your time and consideration in supporting Ryan, my beloved student and faculty member. When the time comes, he will excitedly pay it forward to the next budding artist. Any donation, no matter how small, will truly make a difference. Thank you so very much!

The beneficiary of this account will be Ryan Sherk, who will put any funds raised towards his tuition and living expenses while at Juilliard.

Attached is one of Ryan's recent solos. To view more of Ryan's performances, click on the link below to access his YouTube Channel.

Ryan's YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@ryansherk1683