Seeking Sponsorship for Samoa’s First Student Accepted into a Full-Time Elite Ballet Program in Australia. Bringing ballet to the Pacific.

Talofa, my name is Whitney, I am 11 years old and I live on the island of Samoa in the Pacific and attend St Mary's Savalalo in Apia. From the time I was little, I loved to move, to tell stories through dance, to express what words I couldn’t. But on our island, access to formal ballet and contemporary dance training is almost impossible. There are no full time schools, no studios with sprung floors, and no formal education to guide young pacific dancers who dream of becoming a ballerina.

That’s why I’ve been given an incredible opportunity, to train full time in Australia, learning ballet and contemporary dance at a professional level. It’s a dream come true, but also a huge challenge for a Pacific Island girl with limited resources.

This isn’t just about me. My dream is to bring ballet and contemporary dance home to Samoa and to share what I learn, to teach children and youth across the Pacific that their stories and their movements are powerful. I want to combine the discipline and grace of ballet with the heart and rhythm of our island culture, to create something uniquely Pacific, feminine, and strong.

The funds raised will help cover costs for 2026:

Every contribution, no matter how small, brings me closer to representing our Pacific Islands on the world stage, and then bringing that knowledge home to inspire the next generation of island dancers.

My dream is that when i complete my dance training I can return to share my knowledge with other young Samoan and Pacific Island girls and provide them with opportunities to learn classical ballet and contemporary dance and even have the chance to travel the world.

All sponsors will be updated with how the donations are spent and an Instagram page will be set up to provide updates.

Fa’afetai tele lava (thank you so much) for believing in me and helping me keep this dream alive.

With love and gratitude,

Whitney xoxo