Support My Journey to Vaganova’s Burgas Ballet Summer Camp

Dear Supporters and sponsors,

I welcome you to my third and greatest fundraiser dedicated to my journey to become a professional ballet dancer. In this appeal, I am once more writing to reach those who are drawn to the beauty of ballet and in supporting me to successfully achieve my dreams.

I would like to begin my appeal by first thanking all my previous donors whose support I had the fortune of receiving last year. If it were not for all their support, my ballet journey could not have developed and be at the point it is today. The two experiences I had to train with Russian Masters Ballet (official Vaganova Ballet Academy licensed courses), made possible to pursue solely through fundraising, not only significantly developed me as a dancer but also allowed me to be seen by the greater international ballet world.

From my audition at RMB’s winter programme in Madrid, I have now been offered not only one but two places for their Professional summer courses, each held in distinct locations: Burgas, Bulgaria and Alicante, Spain. This is a significant achievement for me as it was this time last year when I was only offered a place at their Open-Professional summer course (Alicante) on the basis that I had room for improvement — a room, however, which I used to its best potential and won an award for excelling in classical and character dance and a place at their winter programme.

To be granted two professional places for their summer programmes is a rare offer for my age, nineteen, because places are strictly limited to sixteen students per group (divided by ballet level) who are conventionally under 18, and requirements to be considered for a place at the professional level demands very strong technique and artistry in order to endure the rigorous training. I am therefore beyond honoured to be granted my place and finally have the opportunity to be coached by the current legendary teachers of the Vaganova Ballet Academy who are flown in from St Petersburg, Russia especially — an opportunity which no other ballet course provides. Everyday the classes will be significantly longer and more demanding, and I will also practise specific subjects to become professional, such as pas de deux (partnering work, fundamental to ballet) and acting/ballet mime.

Although I would love to attend both courses, naturally for the sake of realistic financial boundaries, I can only choose one course which I have decided to be the intensive three-week programme in Burgas, Bulgaria. I have made this decision based on wanting to train alongside other Slavic dancers, immerse myself in a culture which holds the Vaganova ballet method at its core, and because it is far closer to onwardly travel to Russia, should I succeed in winning a place at the Vaganova Ballet Academy itself, where I aspire to graduate — the most prestigious ballet academy of the world, associate school of the Mariinsky Ballet Theatre, and academy of ballet greats such as Rudolf Nureyev, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Diana Vishneva and Altynai Asylmuratova.

As much as I am thrilled to share this news, I am almost more daunted than any other fundraiser by my appeal potentially failing. Although I am even closer to my dreams, the financial obstacles which hold me back are inescapable. My single-parent mother and I have no way to afford such an elite ballet opportunity. If I do not raise the funds, I will have to give up my place.

And so, please continue reading to find a breakdown of my fundraising aims.

I have until 30th April, 2025 to raise the tuition for the full three-week programme to secure my place, including a couple of pre-travel expenses:

— — TOTAL = £1,915

First goal to reach by 30 April, 2025 = £1,975

(Includes GoFundMe fees, currency exchange and int. transfer)

My second goal is assigned to raising the funds for my travel. I must fundraise this in priority to the third goal because travel plans to Burgas are far more complex than to Alicante and the flight prices are rapidly increasing. Please note that the amount below accounts for both me and my mother to travel as we have decided it is best for me not to travel alone on this long journey, far from the UK. By coming with me to Burgas, she will also watch me perform on the large stage of the programme’s Final Gala.

Second goal to reach by 4 May, 2025 = £2,850

(Includes GoFundMe fees, currency exchange and int. transfer)

Finally, I have until 15th May, 2025 to raise my accommodation and all extra expenses involved for me to attend the programme. Final breakdown:

— — TOTAL = £1,720

Third goal to reach by 15 May, 2025 = £4,600

(Includes GoFundMe fees, currency exchange and int. transfer)

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my appeal and I am beyond grateful if you are considering to support me and my passion. To get a deeper sense of who I am as an artist, I invite you to my Instagram to find some photos and videos of my dancing: https://www.instagram.com/artiste.enpointe/ .

And, if you have not already, please read my previous fundraisers and the updates to get a greater sense of my background and how my journey has developed in the last year through fundraising.

For the Alicante summer programme: https://www.gofundme.com/f/vaganova-ballet-academy-summer-intensive-RMB2024

For the Madrid winter programme: https://www.gofundme.com/f/vaganova-ballet-academy-winter-intensive-RMB2024

Should you like to read about the course directly, you can follow the link to RMB’s description: https://russianmastersballet.com/courses/summer-intensives/burgas/

I will endeavour to send updates on the progress of this fundraiser but, for the moment, thank you so much for your support.

In anticipation,

Sascha