Hi, my name is Jaden Grimm. I am 16 years old and I am training to become a professional ballet dancer.  From starting ballet at age 3 in a small mountain town in Colorado, to a full-time, pre-professional ballet program in Arizona, to now training in St. Petersburg, Russia, my ballet training has taken me on quite the journey. 

 

This past summer, I spent six weeks studying ballet in St. Petersburg, Russia. During the summer course at the renowned Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet, the Principal and Artistic Director hand-selected me out of hundreds of dancers to attend the Academy full-time beginning this fall.

To be invited to train at the world's most prestigious ballet school was a dream come true and a once in a lifetime opportunity.  So, as difficult as it was to leave my teachers and friends, and move even farther away from my family, as soon as I received my student visa, I left for Russia.

Here at the Vaganova Academy, I train 6 days per week, studying classical ballet and character dance, in addition to taking intensive Russian language classes 3 times per week, and maintaining a 4.0 GPA in my online high school program.

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Had it not been been for the many generous donors who supported my summer study in Russia, the opportunity to be here would not have been possible. I am beyond grateful to everyone who contributed. 

I am in need of ongoing support in order to continue my training at the Vaganova Academy.  The annual cost to attend includes tuition, room & board, travel, and ballet uniform expenses.  My parents have made every sacrifice possible to allow me to pursue my dream, including supporting my out-of-state training for the past 3 years.  The cost of the academy is more than we will be able to afford without help.  My next tuition payment is due on February 1st and I am hoping to reach my goal by then.

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Graduating from the Vaganova Academy, which is the school of the famed Mariinsky Ballet, affords dancers the opportunity to join the top ballet companies in the world, so training here is a huge step toward reaching my professional career goals.

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Anything you can contribute toward my final years of ballet training would be so helpful and I would be forever grateful for your generosity and support! 

With gratitude,

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