JDP senior Alena

Sometimes the Lord has your paths cross with others at just the right time!  I was so delighted to meet Alena as she is preparing to raise funds to attend ABT NY summer intensive.  A highly sought after program she has been accepted to that is for Advanced dancers only and is very difficult to get into.  The dedication Alena and her family have made to dance is making her dreams come true! 

I am consistently impressed by the dancers I work with.  Their commitment to excellence and tenacity to chase after their dreams is inspiring.  Alena has been dancing since she was 3 at the initial urging of her grandmom.  She’s never looked back!

Alena’s pursuit of excellence in dance has her in the studio 6 days a week perfecting her craft at the Carroll County Dance Center, Carroll County’s premier dance center and ballet conservatory.  The Ballet Conservatory offers enthusiastic and dedicated students like Alena, opportunities to study classical ballet.  Students are taught following the principles of the Russian Vaganova method, in conjunction with principles from contemporary training methods. 

The Conservatory approach Alena is studying under consists of a set curriculum of classes designed to guide the serious student into a professional company or a top notch college dance program.  Carroll County Dance Center students have been accepted at numerous schools and companies, often with extensive scholarships. 

Alena’s mom Kristen is working to create a gala fundraiser to help make the dream of attending  ABT in NY a reality.   It will require a $6,000 investment which seems very daunting; but our God tells us all things are possible with Him!  Jennifer DiDio Photography will be donating a portrait session with two accompanying 8×10 prints towards a raffle or auction to help her fund raising efforts.  Planning has just begun but it looks likely there will be a silent auction, food and most importantly—Alena will be dancing!  Any other businesses that would like to contribute to a young girl’s dream, please message me or leave a comment on the blog! 

If you’ve been in awe of Alena’s beauty in motion, you’d be stopped in your tracks once again by the absolute lovely young woman she is.  Such a gentle kindness and humility rests deep in this young woman’s soul.  She radiates joy as she dances and that was a delight to photograph!  Alena, I wish you all the best in your dance pursuits!  I eagerly anticipate buying a ticket to the Kennedy Center and one day seeing your name appear prominently in the program!