Summer Dance Intensive 2016

My name is Katelin and I am a young aspiring dancer.   Unlike many other dancers, my mother didn’t put me into dance at a young age.  When I was eleven I made the decision myself to want to start taking lessons. I was obviously very late to the scene seeing as most of the girls had been dancing since they were three, but as soon as I stepped up to that barrre, I knew I had found my place.  Before I started dance, I was an awkward and shy sixth grader who had a hard time talking to people which led to low self esteem. I had always been intrigued by how gracefully and effortlessly dancers moved and longed to do it myself. Though I was by no means graceful on my first day, I instantly fell in love with the physical and emotional freedom that comes with losing yourself in the movement and following the music’s most intricate rhythms.  Through dance, I was given a whole new language, where I could express my deepest emotions without saying a word.  The feeling was addictive and I knew I wanted as much of it as I could get. But I also knew that I wasn’t good enough to get  anywhere in the state that I was.  So, I began working extremely hard to get to a place where I could do all that I wanted to do. My class load upped from one day a week to six , and now six years after I started dancing, I am in the top level at my studio and dancing lead roles.  

Because of my increased interest in dance, I went to my first Summer Intensive at the age of 14.  It was here that I solidified just how much I loved to dance.  While some students were completely exhausted after the eight hour long days we spent dancing for three striaght weeks, I was even more enamored with the dance world. Dancing that much everyday was a peek into the professional world, a world that I soon realized was so much more than I had initailly made it out to be.  The work load was physically exhausting but mentally I was ecstatic to see myself improving every single day.  I was challenged by new teachers and new choreography, and by the end of my time there I was completely addicted to the enviroment that comes with a summer dance intensive.  Since then, I have attended two other summer intensives throughout the country.  Each one taught me somthing new, and at each one my dancing improved in numerous ways. 

 I am raising money to be able to go to away this summer  and dance for four weeks with the company of my dreams, Alonzo King Lines Ballet in San Francisco.  In previous years, my parents have been able to financially support my summer training.  Unfortunately this has been a difficult year for my family and they are not able to assist  me this summer.  I was able to put down the initial deposit with my own savings but still need to raise the additional tuition and travel expenses.  The remainder of the payment is due on April 15, 2016.

This intensive means so much to me because Alonzo King Lines is a company that I have admired for a very long time.  They have a unique approach to dance that  focuses on each dancer's unique artistry and passion for the art form.  When I took the audition class for the intensive, I immedaily fell in love with the teaching style and movement quality.  As it is a hard program to get into, I was ecstatic to receive the letter of acceptance, but knew my attendance would be dependant on any financial aid I could receive.  Dance, and specifically at this Summer Intensive, is somthing that means the world to me.  I am incredibly thankful to all of the individuals who have gotten me to the place I am at today, and will be equally as thankful to anyone who aids me on continuing this journey.  Your help, no matter how small, will allow me to continue doing the one thing in this world that allows me to be a truly happy and confident individual, and for that I will be forever grateful.