I want to take this opportunity to thank you for the generous scholarship and tell you about my wonderful summer in New York.

The ABT intensive was an amazing experience. It was just how I expected it to be. However, I was surprised at how many boys were there. I enjoyed dancing with people I did not know because I didn`t know what to expect, and that made me want to work harder. 

Towards the second week in the intensives I was afraid I had in-grown toenails so I went to the doctor that ABT uses, and he showed me how to tape my toes back so I could continue dancing.  I was so afraid that I would not be able to dance, but this solved the problem. 

Some corrections I learned while I was at ABT were to be more graceful, and to relax my hands. I worked on not looking down as much when I dance, and to bring my arms in sooner when I am doing a pirouette. 

At the end of our 5 weeks studying we performed two dances in a recital. In our classical piece, Le Sylphide, I was chosen to be one of the four prima ballerinas. I was also featured in our contemporary piece.  

This was my first time to go to New York, and I experienced so many new adventures.  Many evenings I spent my time on our apartment’s fire escape and watched people go by and New York life. I had the opportunity to see the 9/11 memorial and the statue of liberty and a ballet at the Met. 

The ABT intensive has given me more experience performing and dancing with new people. I made tons of friends that were so sweet and beautiful dancers, and I hope I get to see them again soon. I am so appreciative of the scholarship the Dance Council awarded me and how it helped pay for our housing in New York.   I hope to be able to go again next year.

Thank you again.

Sincerely,

~ Breanne Granlund