Keturah's Summer: Ballet Magnificat

Hello everyone!

This post is going to be a little different than usual, because I really just want to tell you all about my newest exciting adventure. Or at least, what I hope will be my newest exciting adventure.

You may have heard of a ballet company called Ballet Magnificat. If you haven't, they are America's premiere Christian ballet company. I saw their performance of The Hiding Place once when I was little, and have been inspired by them ever since.

Every year Ballet Mag runs a dance intensive in the summer, they have a 2 week and a 4 week program.

I've set a goal to go next summer.

The company is based in Mississippi, so that is where the intensive will be. The tuition is $1,931 and then there are travel expenses on top of that.

(You can watch a video and find out more about the intensive HERE)

I've tried for the last few years to earn enough money for classes, intensives, and equipment, but I've been finding more and more that this is quite a challenge. To really earn enough money, I would need to stop spending and just save money for at least a year, but I can't afford to lose that time of training.

All of the money I'm making from working is going toward classes for September-June of 2018, so I have to come up with some creative ways to raise money for the Summer Intensive.

One of my ideas is a Gofundme page! Super original, I know. ;)

I had to have a picture for my page, so I took the opportunity to have a little photoshoot just for fun. I thought you might like to see some of the pictures!

I feel like I look like a ballet-modern version of a Jane Austen character.

For all you concerned dancers out there, yes, my pointe shoes are fine.

I'm just going to take this opportunity to promote my brother Jon, he has a juice/smoothie business. He also sells apple cider. Go to the City Market on Walker Road, buy it.

My niece wanted to wear one of my ballet shoes. How could I resist? (She was previously playing with that stick on the ground. She gave that up for the shoe. There's a true dancer at heart right there.)

Anyway, if you'd like to support my trip, please consider donating HERE. :)

Here are a few IQWATWPBFA's: (If Questions Were Asked, These Would Probably Be Frequently Asked)

-What if you don't raise all of the money, or your application is denied, what will happen to the donations you did get?

Good question! If for some reason the trip falls through, the money will still go toward my ballet education. As I mentioned earlier, I have been struggling to just pay for regular classes, so if I can't make the trip to Mississippi, the donations will still be really helpful.

-....I had another question I thought of, but I can't remember now. So if you ask, or if I remember, I'll just update this later.

Even if you don't donate, (I know a lot of you have donated to help me with things before, so I am not expecting anyone to twice) please consider sharing this post, or just my Gofundme link on your Facebook!

Just one last note: Gofundme is a great tool, but it does deduct a small percentage from each donation I receive. If you see me in person semi-regularly, it might be better for you to find a way to get it to me in person, with cash or a cheque.

Thank you in advance for any way you are going to help me out!

~Keturah

A "WHAT???" Kind of Opportunity

Hello friends!

I have talked about dance camp, and 1:11 Ministries before, but just in case some of you still don't know what I am talking about, I'll explain a little bit, as well as encourage you to click on the link above.

My sister, Rachel Starr Thomson, co-owns a ballet company with my cousin Carolyn Currey, (a professional ballerina) and their friend Mercy Hope. 

For years, they have inspired myself and my sisters. Stories of Carolyn training herself and becoming successful in her career, as well as starting a professional company, have motivated us to work hard to hopefully become professional dancers someday as well.

I actually can't even explain how much I look up to all three of these ladies, not just in their success, but in their hearts for the Lord. I have learned so much from them.

Anyways, the point I am getting to, is that recently, my mother invited my younger sisters Anna and Tabithah and I, into the living room for a meeting with her, Rachel, and my dad. They explained that they have been thinking and planning for a while, on having the three of us go stay with Rachel in Fort Erie for a few months to train intensively with Carolyn, and then go on Christmas tour with their company.

WHAT?????

I mean, umm.... Yes, of course we would love to.

But seriously, WHAT????????? :D

So that's the news. The three youngest children of this family are leaving now from October 15th to December 18th, to practically a dream come true.

I tell you all of this because it's awesome and exciting, and also because unfortunately, we can't actually afford to pay for it all.

The goal is $4,136 for the three of us, (each of us needing $1,378.70) so if any of you feel so inclined, we would really appreciate some support. Any amount would be helpful, even if it's just $5.00, that would be awesome.

If you're not in a place to donate or something like that, you can still be a huge support to us by keeping us in your prayers!

Things you can pray for us about:

1. Funding

2. Strength, improvement in technique

3. Encouragement

I just spent this whole time talking, so I thought I would let the girls have a few words of their own about the trip, so this is what Tabithah said.

Hey y'all! I just wanted to say that I really appreciate all of your support and prayers. I'll miss you guys! -Tabithah

If you are interested in supporting us in any way, please email me at keturahthomson12@gmail.com, or Facebook message me, whichever you prefer.

Peace out!

~Keturah