Help Disabled Dancer Teach Ballet
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Disabled Broadway Dancer Takes the Next Step
After spending almost half of the last year in hospitals fighting for his life; Moose and his family are moving forward with their plan to open a small ballet studio in Northern California.
Moose with his sleeping baby, Ginger, teaching class
Andrew "Moose" Allagree, teaching class the day we closed escrow on our house and future studio. June 20, 2014. Three weeks later he was in the ICU at Stanford, fighting to stay alive.
This is our story
Hello, I'm Moose. I am a nationally recognized professional Ballet/Broadway dancer and teacher who contracted Brainstem Encephalitis in 1999. It came back in 2009, 2013, and again last (2014) July. I spent over 120 days in the hospital last year.
Above: Half a decade after the doctors said he would never walk again. The drive to prove them wrong and the will to dance kept Moose going.
Training with Joffrey II
On Broadway (opening night) with Billy Joel in Movin' Out in 2002.
During my 20 year career, I danced and taught all over the world. I performed for two Presidents and the Queen of England; with such folks as Twyla Tharp, Baryshnikov, and for companies including The Joffrey Ballet, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, and Pennsylvania Ballet. After my first episode with BBE (and almost two years in a wheelchair) I had the honor of dancing as an original cast member of the Tony Award winning show, Movin' Out.
I have been allowed the experience to train some amazing dancers such as Ashley Everett (Lead Dancer and Dance Captain for Beyonce) and Charles "Lil Buck" Riley. Over the years, I have enjoyed teaching master and company classes at Ballet West, Steps on Broadway, LINES @ SF Dance Center, Ballet Florida, Ballet Memphis, New Ballet Ensemble, and Virginia School of the Arts.
First round of treatments 15 years ago.
Hanging out with daddy at the ER, March 2014
With his daughter July-November 2014.
Choreographing and preparing ballet class while on life support... Seriously, Moose?!? That's how important teaching is to him!
Pas de Deux class in Daddy's hospital room
First week home after five months. Ginger's first birthday party/Daddy's 40th birthday. November 29, 2014
*In the studio
For the past 15 years, the only thing other than my friends and family that has kept me alive is teaching ballet.
Having been a teacher of ballet for 15+ years, I can think of no greater way to overcome my illness and share my experience and love of dance with others--through teaching classes.
After spending almost half of the last year in hospitals fighting for his life; Moose and his family are moving forward with their plan to open a small ballet studio in Northern California.
Moose with his sleeping baby, Ginger, teaching classAndrew "Moose" Allagree, teaching class the day we closed escrow on our house and future studio. June 20, 2014. Three weeks later he was in the ICU at Stanford, fighting to stay alive.This is our story
Hello, I'm Moose. I am a nationally recognized professional Ballet/Broadway dancer and teacher who contracted Brainstem Encephalitis in 1999. It came back in 2009, 2013, and again last (2014) July. I spent over 120 days in the hospital last year.
Above: Half a decade after the doctors said he would never walk again. The drive to prove them wrong and the will to dance kept Moose going.Training with Joffrey IIOn Broadway (opening night) with Billy Joel in Movin' Out in 2002.During my 20 year career, I danced and taught all over the world. I performed for two Presidents and the Queen of England; with such folks as Twyla Tharp, Baryshnikov, and for companies including The Joffrey Ballet, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, and Pennsylvania Ballet. After my first episode with BBE (and almost two years in a wheelchair) I had the honor of dancing as an original cast member of the Tony Award winning show, Movin' Out.
I have been allowed the experience to train some amazing dancers such as Ashley Everett (Lead Dancer and Dance Captain for Beyonce) and Charles "Lil Buck" Riley. Over the years, I have enjoyed teaching master and company classes at Ballet West, Steps on Broadway, LINES @ SF Dance Center, Ballet Florida, Ballet Memphis, New Ballet Ensemble, and Virginia School of the Arts.
First round of treatments 15 years ago.Hanging out with daddy at the ER, March 2014With his daughter July-November 2014.Choreographing and preparing ballet class while on life support... Seriously, Moose?!? That's how important teaching is to him!Pas de Deux class in Daddy's hospital roomFirst week home after five months. Ginger's first birthday party/Daddy's 40th birthday. November 29, 2014*In the studio
For the past 15 years, the only thing other than my friends and family that has kept me alive is teaching ballet.
Having been a teacher of ballet for 15+ years, I can think of no greater way to overcome my illness and share my experience and love of dance with others--through teaching classes.
TODAY
I am experiencing a remission. Most days I can walk a bit. Some days it isn't real pretty walking. Other days I need a power chair to get around. My physical limitations make it difficult to even leave home sometimes. This is why we are here asking for your help.
We have a 1200sq. foot "studio" building on our property so I can easily "drive" my chair to class when I unable to walk. We have students ready to dance and learn. We have teachers (including my love, Jenifer) who will fill in when I am ill. We have everything we need, except a finished studio for teaching ballet.
We own a building, have a new septic system, and have now raised $2,900. We need close to $7,400 more for materials to raise the floor, another $7,000 to get the permits, the restroom, and electrical done. Lastly we have to build safe glassless mirrors, barres, and install sound. Our total budget for materials is close to $20,000. We (Jenifer, the ex-USAF helicopter mechanic) plan to do as much of the work as possible along with family and some donated labor. There will be a few tasks we must hire out for safety reasons.
Your donation gives my family hope for the future--something to look forward to everyday and most importantly gives the gift of dance education for countless students who will dance YOUR floor!
Thank you for taking the time to read our story. Your donation means so much to us! Just as important though is sharing our story. PLEASE SHARE!! Even if you are unable to donate money, sharing our story helps us tremendously!
Stay tuned for studio stories plus, photos of the studio!
Moose and Jeni
I am experiencing a remission. Most days I can walk a bit. Some days it isn't real pretty walking. Other days I need a power chair to get around. My physical limitations make it difficult to even leave home sometimes. This is why we are here asking for your help.
We have a 1200sq. foot "studio" building on our property so I can easily "drive" my chair to class when I unable to walk. We have students ready to dance and learn. We have teachers (including my love, Jenifer) who will fill in when I am ill. We have everything we need, except a finished studio for teaching ballet.
We own a building, have a new septic system, and have now raised $2,900. We need close to $7,400 more for materials to raise the floor, another $7,000 to get the permits, the restroom, and electrical done. Lastly we have to build safe glassless mirrors, barres, and install sound. Our total budget for materials is close to $20,000. We (Jenifer, the ex-USAF helicopter mechanic) plan to do as much of the work as possible along with family and some donated labor. There will be a few tasks we must hire out for safety reasons.
Your donation gives my family hope for the future--something to look forward to everyday and most importantly gives the gift of dance education for countless students who will dance YOUR floor!
Thank you for taking the time to read our story. Your donation means so much to us! Just as important though is sharing our story. PLEASE SHARE!! Even if you are unable to donate money, sharing our story helps us tremendously!
Stay tuned for studio stories plus, photos of the studio!
Moose and Jeni
Organizer
Andrew Allagree
Organizer
Paradise, CA