From Native American Pow Wow to Professional Ballet

Hi, I’m Beckham Barehand, an enrolled Gila River Indian Community Citizen and Navajo ballet dancer. Since enrolling at Johansen's Dance Center at an early age, one of only a handful of boys, I have grown to love dance as an art form. Now, I want to become a professional ballet dancer.

Inspired by Osage prima ballerina Maria Tall Chief and Navajo New York City Ballet dancer Jock Soto, I want to do what I can to perform in top companies. I've trained hard and achieved much more than I thought I would when I was younger attending summer intensives at Oregon Ballet Theater, Milwaukee Ballet and Austin Ballet. These intensives allowed me to meet many talented instructors, dedicated peers, and beautiful choreography that have encouraged me to continue with my passion.

Now, I have been accepted to Cleveland Ballet to be part of their trainee program for their 2024-2025 season, which will prepare me to transition into the professional ballet world. My real journey starts now, branching out on my own, away from family and friends to see what I can make of my talents.

But no one does this alone. We always need help. I ask for help from those of you who want to support me on this journey and I ask for your donations.

The money that will be raised here will be used to help pay for ballet necessities such as tights, ballet shoes, costumes, ballet clothing, athletic gear and more, as well as helping me with living expenses while in Cleveland for the next year.

I am grateful for my family who have shouldered much of the burden so far, but I think it's time to ease their burden, and spread it around a little.

I will also be working part time while dancing full time, but I already know I will need help to make ends meet.

So thanks so much for your generosity. I appreciate anything, even it is only words on encouragement.

Follow me on Instagram @beckham_that_ballet_guy to check up on the my progress.

Thank you!