Help me Pay my Dancers
Donation protected
Hello community!
First, I'd like to thank you for clicking my GoFundMe & willingness to consider donating.
My name is Ashley Justice, I'm a dancer and a choreographer based in New York City. I have a BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography and I'm presenting my first formal piece in New York on September 28, 2024 at The Tank. To support myself in the city I currently work at a restaurant and teach fitness and I freelance dance gigs as much as I can. I'm so incredibly grateful for the opportunity to present my choreography formally in New York; that being said my dancers have generously volunteered their artistry, time, and experience to make my vision come to life.
I am presenting my work fully out of pocket so I'm starting this GoFundMe in hopes to raise money that will go DIRECTLY and FULLY to my two dancers for them to share equally. I've known both of these dancers for years and I can say they are two of the most hard working and committed young artists I know.
Meet the dancers!
Elleigh McClelland and I met in Wichita, Kansas. She was a young dancer while I was getting my BFA at Wichita State, where she also attended and earned her BFA. Elleigh has danced professionally around the country and last year moved to NYC to pursue her already very accomplished career.
- Elleigh McClelland was born and raised in Wichita, KS. She had her New York debut in February 2024 at GROWorks, an emerging artists showcase in Brooklyn. She currently works at NYC Public School for Dance, Ballet Tech, as a teacher assistant and Next Step Broadway in Jersey City. She danced with the Regina Klenjoski Dance Company for six seasons, where she also served as Rehearsal Assistant. Elleigh has performed alongside Tristian Griffin Dance Company in CONVERGE, Spring to Dance Festival in St. Louis and Los Angeles Dance Festival with RKDC. She earned her BFA in Dance Performance from Wichita State University. While at WSU, she performed works by such luminaires as Darrell Grand Moultrie, Charlotte Boye-Christensen, and Jammie Walker. Aside from dance, Elleigh is also passionate about watching The Great British Bake Off but not actually baking herself, giggling with her friends and finding inspiration in all things around her.
Ahmari and I grew up dancing in the same small studio on Westbank in New Orleans. Since then I've watched Ahmari grow into a versitile, intelligent, and incredibly talented dancer. She continues to book dance job after dance job in film and tv, all while earning her undergraduate degree. As of two months ago, she made the move to NYC!
- Ahmari Vaughn, originally from New Orleans, Louisiana discovered her passion for dance at an early age. She began her preprofessional training at New Orleans Ballet Association (NOBA) receiving training from companies such as Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ballet Hispanico, Ronald K. Brown Evidence, Dance Theater of Harlem, and Complexions Contemporary Ballet. Transitioning into high school, Ahmari attended New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA). During her summers she attended intensives such as Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Modas Dance, where she worked under Jennifer Archibald. Ahmari continued her education at Case Western Reserve University receiving a BA in Psychology and Dance and a minor in Sports Medicine. While in undergrad, Ahmari began her dance career in television and film, working with choreographers such as Aakomon Jones, Amy Allen, Kat M Burns, and Maya Taylor. Ahmari has been casted in BET+ Sacrifice, Netflix original Tall Girl 2, Renfield, Mike, and Grilled Cheese. She also has commercial credits working with brands such as Under Armour, Girlfriend Collective, and Zapp’s where she also assisted choreography.
About me:
- Ashley Justice is a dancer, teacher, and choreographer based in New York City. She is originally from New Orleans, LA where she has performed professionally with Mélange Dance Company, Lightwire Theater, and has worked as a dancer on multiple film sets in the city, such as Mudbound and Tall Girl 2. She has a B.F.A. in Dance Performance and Choreography from Wichita State University, where she danced and toured with Wichita Contemporary Dance Theatre, Alithea Mime Theatre, Chandler Dances, and performed work by renowned choreographers, such as Darrell Moultrie. Ashley is currently a freelance dance artist in New York City, where has performed in Dumbo Dance Festival, at New York City Center and has presented her choreography at RAW Artists Brooklyn and Gibney Dance Center.
Thank you so much for considering a donation! It is my dream to pay my dancers for their work, and every single $1 gets me that much closer to accomplishing that dream!
*If you'e interested in also helping me individually, to cover the costs of costumes & rehearsal space, I ask you send that to my personal Venmo. This will ensure all donations here will be distributed fully to the dancers.*
@ATJustice
Sincerely,
Ashley
Organizer
Ashley Justice
Organizer
New York, NY