Support Ling’s Dance Career
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Hi, my name is Ling Minucci! I am writing to share a little about who I am, and why I am reaching out for your help. I am an aspiring dancer about to venture into the professional dance world as an Apprentice with Carolina Ballet. I am more than thrilled about this new job, but unfortunately, because it’s an unpaid position, I will not be able to be financially stable next year without your generosity. And due to the rigorous schedule, it does not allow to work another full time job. I hope that after hearing my story, you will consider helping me achieve my dream by donating and/or sharing this link for others to view. The money I would receive from this GoFundMe will go towards rent, transportation and food for a year. But first, I would like to say thank you in advance for taking the time to look at my story.
I have been training as a dancer for the past 16 years, and my family has been nothing but supportive the whole way through. Many sacrifices have been made and are still being made by my parents to keep me dancing, and I am endlessly grateful for that. My mom always used to say “We will make it happen,” and she did just that, even if that meant using all the money we had and then some to be able to get the highest level of training I needed. With all that being said, my family has reached a point where supporting me financially this upcoming year will be nearly impossible.
My whole childhood, my parents owned and operated a small Mom and Pop restaurant in North Creek, NY. My mom was the only chef behind the line and did all the work herself. When I was 10, I started working in the restaurant myself. I did everything from washing the dishes to bussing the tables. This is also when I started to earn my own money by working, just as the other adult employees did in the restaurant. Working in the restaurant taught me discipline, time management and what true dedication to a craft looks like, at a young age. This disciplined and dedicated mindset has helped me immensely in and out of the dance studio.
Beginning ballet at the age of 4, I of course had no idea what I was getting into. I couldn’t have known it then, but I was embarking on an incredible, but challenging journey. The first time I saw a professional ballet company in action was when I was 7 years old. New York City Ballet often auditions local kids from upstate NY for children's roles when touring to Saratoga Springs, NY. I auditioned and landed the role of “The Page” in George Balanchine’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” I went on to dance other children’s roles and performed for 4 more summers with NYCB. This opened my eyes to the endless possibilities of this profession, and I just knew I wanted to become a professional dancer one day and make this a career.
As I got older, I began attending summer intensive programs away from home at The School of American Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet School and Miami City Ballet School, all on scholarship. Before every summer intensive, I would save up enough money from working in the restaurant, to use as my own spending money for the summer. When I was 14 years old, I auditioned for Miami City Ballet’s summer intensive and was invited to attend their first ever spring break workshop. From there, I was invited to join their year round Pre-professional program on scholarship. I stayed in Miami City Ballet’s prestigious pre-pro program for my 4 years of high school. There, I was often chosen to perform with MCB, and at 15 even got to go tour “The Nutcracker'' at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, in Los Angeles. Being away from home at that early age helped me further develop a sense of responsibility, independence, and frugality. Those years were some of the most formative years in my ballet training, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the scholarships and the sacrifices of my parents.
Upon my graduation at MCBS I knew I had to take the next steps to become a professional dancer, so I auditioned and was accepted into the 2 year “Professional Division'' program at Pacific Northwest Ballet. During those 2 years as a PD, not only did I have the opportunity to perform and work alongside the dancers at PNB, but the program also opened my eyes to different forms of movement and self expression that I never imagined existed.
This takes us to the present day. I am about to graduate from Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Professional Division program, and I feel more than prepared to venture into the world as a professional dancer. All of the puzzle pieces are in place, except for this crucial one. I hope that you will consider donating and/or sharing this GoFundMe link with others. Any amount will go a long way, and I will always be grateful for your generosity! Thank you.
Sincerely,
Ling Minucci
I have been training as a dancer for the past 16 years, and my family has been nothing but supportive the whole way through. Many sacrifices have been made and are still being made by my parents to keep me dancing, and I am endlessly grateful for that. My mom always used to say “We will make it happen,” and she did just that, even if that meant using all the money we had and then some to be able to get the highest level of training I needed. With all that being said, my family has reached a point where supporting me financially this upcoming year will be nearly impossible.
My whole childhood, my parents owned and operated a small Mom and Pop restaurant in North Creek, NY. My mom was the only chef behind the line and did all the work herself. When I was 10, I started working in the restaurant myself. I did everything from washing the dishes to bussing the tables. This is also when I started to earn my own money by working, just as the other adult employees did in the restaurant. Working in the restaurant taught me discipline, time management and what true dedication to a craft looks like, at a young age. This disciplined and dedicated mindset has helped me immensely in and out of the dance studio.
Beginning ballet at the age of 4, I of course had no idea what I was getting into. I couldn’t have known it then, but I was embarking on an incredible, but challenging journey. The first time I saw a professional ballet company in action was when I was 7 years old. New York City Ballet often auditions local kids from upstate NY for children's roles when touring to Saratoga Springs, NY. I auditioned and landed the role of “The Page” in George Balanchine’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” I went on to dance other children’s roles and performed for 4 more summers with NYCB. This opened my eyes to the endless possibilities of this profession, and I just knew I wanted to become a professional dancer one day and make this a career.
As I got older, I began attending summer intensive programs away from home at The School of American Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet School and Miami City Ballet School, all on scholarship. Before every summer intensive, I would save up enough money from working in the restaurant, to use as my own spending money for the summer. When I was 14 years old, I auditioned for Miami City Ballet’s summer intensive and was invited to attend their first ever spring break workshop. From there, I was invited to join their year round Pre-professional program on scholarship. I stayed in Miami City Ballet’s prestigious pre-pro program for my 4 years of high school. There, I was often chosen to perform with MCB, and at 15 even got to go tour “The Nutcracker'' at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, in Los Angeles. Being away from home at that early age helped me further develop a sense of responsibility, independence, and frugality. Those years were some of the most formative years in my ballet training, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the scholarships and the sacrifices of my parents.
Upon my graduation at MCBS I knew I had to take the next steps to become a professional dancer, so I auditioned and was accepted into the 2 year “Professional Division'' program at Pacific Northwest Ballet. During those 2 years as a PD, not only did I have the opportunity to perform and work alongside the dancers at PNB, but the program also opened my eyes to different forms of movement and self expression that I never imagined existed.
This takes us to the present day. I am about to graduate from Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Professional Division program, and I feel more than prepared to venture into the world as a professional dancer. All of the puzzle pieces are in place, except for this crucial one. I hope that you will consider donating and/or sharing this GoFundMe link with others. Any amount will go a long way, and I will always be grateful for your generosity! Thank you.
Sincerely,
Ling Minucci
Organizer
Ling Minucci
Organizer
Seattle, WA