Emma Laing's Ballet Summer Intensives 2024

Hi! My name is Emma Laing and I am a 13 year old pre-professional ballerina. I train 6 days a week (20 hours weekly) to help me get one step closer to becoming a professional ballerina, which is my biggest dream and goal in the world. I train at International Ballet in Greenville, SC with some very amazing instructors from all around the world, including Vlada Kysselova, Victoria Yanchuck, Josha Williams, and Uriah Boyd. Not only do I have ballet technique daily, but I also train in modern and contemporary, pointe work, and classical ballet variations. I have gotten many opportunities to perform at the Peace Center, such as Clara in the Nutcracker, La Fille Mal Gardee, and soon will be a Black Swan in Swan Lake.

This summer, I have 3 amazing opportunities ahead of me. All of these are summer intensives, which are rigorous programs that all ballet dancers need to progress in their technique and artistry. First, I will train at home with International Ballet for the first 2 weeks of June. Then, I leave for Ellison Ballet in NYC for 4 weeks, which is a once in a lifetime opportunity that I am immensely grateful to have been accepted into the program. Finally, I will attend 1 week at International Ballet Academy in Cary, NC, which is an amazing school that has trained some of the world's most amazing dancers.

I am starting this GoFundMe because in total, this summer is going to cost my parents over $10,000. My parents are both school teachers who work multiple jobs in order to pay for my ballet training. I am very grateful for that and can not ask of them any more. I would be so thankful towards anyone who is able to make any contribution to my summer. Truly, I think these summer intensives will make me a stronger, more artistic dancer and help me to grow as a person. And, it will help me achieve my dreams and goals that my family and I work so hard for. I hope to one day dance in a top company in the US or globally, especially American Ballet Theatre, Royal Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, or Pacific Northwest Ballet.

Again, thank you for anything you are able to contribute. Any support helps to make my dreams come true!