UPDATE: We now have 9, that's right NINE full scholarship students! We are going to be adding a full class of new scholarships in the next few weeks!
Our Story
Sky-Marie has had a dream to use dance to better people's lives for well over a decade. At the age of 18 she felt that God gave her a vision that dance could impact both the dancer and the audience at a very deep, heart level, that it could even transcend barriers like language and cultural differences and social status, that it could be used as a tool to bring healing and unity where brokenness and discord exist. So, she began experimenting with the art as a medium for social and personal growth. She went to the University of Oklahoma and double majored in dance and social anthropology, worked really hard, graduated with honors, made a lot of exciting progress, and... then life happened. With the years came children and responsibilities and "real life" and eventually her dream seemed entirely too distant, too difficult, too impossible to pursue. So, as many of us do with our dreams, she
basically shelved it...
Suddenly one day, the impossible became possible! At the end of December this year we were making our family plans and goals for the upcoming year when a new organization, Early Spring Arts Conservatory, just "happened." This was not planned, it really just came together in a matter of days. Sky-Marie was simply looking for space to start dancing again on her own, or maybe with a few friends, small steps towards reclaiming her original vision. Those small steps turned into a 3,500 square foot dance space with 3 dance studios and 2 classrooms! The space is large enough to house the dance company she's dreamed of directing, as well as offer dance classes for students in the community, and serve as a space to create visual art. Also within a matter of days, all the right people to help run such a wonderful place also came into line. Just like that.
Our goal is to create a conservatory that will provide truly excellent classes that identify and nurture a student's unique gifting and talent. It's Sky-Marie's desire that no student be turned away if they have the passion to learn, regardless of income, ability, or physical limitation. We want to create really quality classes for students of all ages, special inter-disciplinary classes geared towards the homeschool community, classes for adults, classes for individuals with special needs, and advanced classes that will feed into a professional dance company. We want to offer scholarships for students who can't afford tuition. We want to impact the community with thought-provoking, cutting-edge performances. This will not be a "competition" studio, or a glamor studio that fosters a competitive mentality but a place where students are trained to serve and bless others through their talents. In addition to dance we are offering classes in voice, acting, musical theatre and the visual arts.
We will be opening the conservatory on February first. We are putting the puzzle pieces together to make the Conservatory a 501(c)3 non-profit foundation. This will enable us to focus on the student rather than the "bottom line". We hope to offer many scholarships and work/study programs. We also will use the conservatory to reach out to the community at large through performances in the many area social gatherings. We will also be home to an independent Irish Dance company.
The Impact
Donations to our campaign will free us up to focus on the art and the artist. We currently have funding to cover expenses such as rent and utilities in the space. Our current resources will be able to provide immediate full scholarships for 3 very deserving, serious dance students who have approached us for help in funding. We want to offer more scholarships to more students. In particular, there are many very deserving homeschooled students who would like to enroll, and some students with special needs. We need funding to pay the great teachers who want to teach these students. The students are ready. The teachers are ready. The space is *almost* ready. But we need your help!
What We Need & What You Get
Currently we need at least $4000. This money will go towards the purchase of a new PA system for each studio (while they have beautiful floors and mirrors we currently have no sound in the studios). Paint to paint the lobby, the halls, the classrooms and the studios.
Other Ways You Can Help
Please post this link to your facebook page and email it to your friends. Help us spread the word!