Make it happen for Lauren in London
Donation protected
Hi there, my daughter Lauren is close to completing her dance training with the hope of soon becoming a professional ballet dancer. Her dedication over many years is inspirational and she makes me proud in so many ways to be her dad. We have had a difficult time lately and although we are doing everything we can think of, it doesn’t look like we will be able to make the next payments for her to continue.
A bit of back story
Lauren spent the first six weeks of her life in intensive care nursery and from then on has always shown resilience and determination. When she was 6 years old she was selected to train at and later represent the Australian Institute of Sport in Gymnastics on scholarship. Here's a short video of her in action.......
if video doesn't play it can also be accessed via this link: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BFBBDZOBERA
At 10 she got the opportunity to perform with the Australian Ballet Company at the Sydney Opera house in their Nutcracker season. Then soon after moved from Canberra to Melbourne after being invited to attend the Australian Ballet School, and later progressed into their full-time program. Unfortunately, during her 7th year at the Australian Ballet School she became very unwell and was given time off to rest and recover.
Opportunity
After getting back on her feet (in pointe shoes!) with a renewed passion for dance, an opportunity came up to see another part of the world when she was accepted to attend Summer programs at the Paris Opera Ballet School and the Royal Ballet School. Circumstances then led to her taking up an exciting new opportunity a few weeks later after she was offered a part bursary to attend Central School of Ballet in London. So at 17 she took the huge step of moving around the other side of the world on her own. (not a pretty airport moment - dad left in a blubbering mess)
Central School of Ballet offers places based on potential and is the only vocational ballet school that offers a Foundation Degree in Professional Dance and Performance which Lauren is due to complete in July this year. Then if able to continue on will gain a BA (Hons) degree in July 2020. Both qualifications are accredited by the University of Kent (England) and internationally recognised. Graduates have gone on to work with some of the best dance companies in the world.

I might be a biased dad but I have watched Lauren grow up into the beautiful and humble person that she is and feel strongly that she has the potential to be a valuable addition to the dance world. She hasn’t followed a typical academic school or dance pathway but has always made the most of every opportunity she has been offered, and has worked really hard!

How you can help
Even with a part bursary the expenses have been very high and together with a couple of other unforeseen circumstances I am well and truly now in a pickle and unable to borrow any more money. We have looked into other options but Lauren is not eligible for student loans in Australia or in England and she doesn’t seem to meet all the requirements for the arts grants that we have seen either.
It is awkward to ask but if you are able to donate at all it would mean a lot and we would be forever grateful.
Funds would be used to make the final payments for this year which would mean Lauren could continue with her training and receive her Foundation Degree in July.
Central School of Ballet Fees - $4,600
- 4 payments of $1,150 due April to July
Part of accommodation costs - $5,200
- due April
I still have my L-plates on with social media, so not sure if many people will get to see this. If you are able to share please, even if you are unable to donate yourself - that would be much appreciated. A big thank you also to Lauren’s very proud Grandma in Canberra who I know will be ‘sharing’ this the old-fashioned way, by mentioning it to everyone she knows (and even some she doesn’t!)
Thank you very much for taking the time to read this.
Andrew
Reference excerpt
“Lauren is a dancer of exceptional quality, with an honesty and depth of sensitivity to her character that is rare to find. She possesses a sophisticated emotional intelligence and always behaves with consideration for others. She has a quiet kindness to the world around her, whilst remaining true to herself. Her dancing mirrors this genuine gift of character.
Laurens attitude to improving her work and her dedication to her passion makes ballet a natural vocation. She would be an asset to any school or future professional company.”
Anna Tetlow
(former professional ballet dancer in numerous international companies, trained at The Royal Ballet school London, owner of Anna Tetlow Pilates injury rehab and technique coaching studio and dance consultant/examiner.)
A bit of back story
Lauren spent the first six weeks of her life in intensive care nursery and from then on has always shown resilience and determination. When she was 6 years old she was selected to train at and later represent the Australian Institute of Sport in Gymnastics on scholarship. Here's a short video of her in action.......
if video doesn't play it can also be accessed via this link: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BFBBDZOBERA
At 10 she got the opportunity to perform with the Australian Ballet Company at the Sydney Opera house in their Nutcracker season. Then soon after moved from Canberra to Melbourne after being invited to attend the Australian Ballet School, and later progressed into their full-time program. Unfortunately, during her 7th year at the Australian Ballet School she became very unwell and was given time off to rest and recover.
Opportunity
After getting back on her feet (in pointe shoes!) with a renewed passion for dance, an opportunity came up to see another part of the world when she was accepted to attend Summer programs at the Paris Opera Ballet School and the Royal Ballet School. Circumstances then led to her taking up an exciting new opportunity a few weeks later after she was offered a part bursary to attend Central School of Ballet in London. So at 17 she took the huge step of moving around the other side of the world on her own. (not a pretty airport moment - dad left in a blubbering mess)
Central School of Ballet offers places based on potential and is the only vocational ballet school that offers a Foundation Degree in Professional Dance and Performance which Lauren is due to complete in July this year. Then if able to continue on will gain a BA (Hons) degree in July 2020. Both qualifications are accredited by the University of Kent (England) and internationally recognised. Graduates have gone on to work with some of the best dance companies in the world.
I might be a biased dad but I have watched Lauren grow up into the beautiful and humble person that she is and feel strongly that she has the potential to be a valuable addition to the dance world. She hasn’t followed a typical academic school or dance pathway but has always made the most of every opportunity she has been offered, and has worked really hard!
How you can help
Even with a part bursary the expenses have been very high and together with a couple of other unforeseen circumstances I am well and truly now in a pickle and unable to borrow any more money. We have looked into other options but Lauren is not eligible for student loans in Australia or in England and she doesn’t seem to meet all the requirements for the arts grants that we have seen either.
It is awkward to ask but if you are able to donate at all it would mean a lot and we would be forever grateful.
Funds would be used to make the final payments for this year which would mean Lauren could continue with her training and receive her Foundation Degree in July.
Central School of Ballet Fees - $4,600
- 4 payments of $1,150 due April to July
Part of accommodation costs - $5,200
- due April
I still have my L-plates on with social media, so not sure if many people will get to see this. If you are able to share please, even if you are unable to donate yourself - that would be much appreciated. A big thank you also to Lauren’s very proud Grandma in Canberra who I know will be ‘sharing’ this the old-fashioned way, by mentioning it to everyone she knows (and even some she doesn’t!)
Thank you very much for taking the time to read this.
Andrew
Reference excerpt
“Lauren is a dancer of exceptional quality, with an honesty and depth of sensitivity to her character that is rare to find. She possesses a sophisticated emotional intelligence and always behaves with consideration for others. She has a quiet kindness to the world around her, whilst remaining true to herself. Her dancing mirrors this genuine gift of character.
Laurens attitude to improving her work and her dedication to her passion makes ballet a natural vocation. She would be an asset to any school or future professional company.”
Anna Tetlow
(former professional ballet dancer in numerous international companies, trained at The Royal Ballet school London, owner of Anna Tetlow Pilates injury rehab and technique coaching studio and dance consultant/examiner.)
Organizer
Andrew George
Organizer
Southbank VIC
