The dream to dance
FOURWAYS - Shannon Weir has been accepted to study towards a four year dance degree at two top dance institutions in New York City, namely Ailey-Fordham University and Pace University.
Weir is one of 24 students accepted in the Ailey programme, and one of 32 students for the Pace programme.
The Ailey School and Fordham University are partners in a highly innovative Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in dance.
On the other side of town, Pace Performing Arts’ Bachelor of Fine Arts in commercial dance is the only one of its kind in New York City, offering comprehensive dance training that bridges the gap between classical dance technique and the professional world of commercial dance.
The commercial dance major blends the highest quality of dance and theatre training, preparing students for diverse careers on stage, television, film and the entertainment industry.
Commercial dance students train with leading professionals in ballet, jazz, modern, theatre dance, tap, contemporary, hip hop, and aerial work as well as in acting, singing and technical theatre.
“Being able to study at either Pace or Ailey is such an honour,” said Shannon.
“I love the programme at Ailey, which has produced choreographers like the famous Desmond Richardson. Pace is a new cutting-edge programme that is a good fit for my range of skills and will prepare me for a highly successful career. Not only have I set my sights on being a top performer in New York, but I understand the need to come back to South Africa and to expand the base of my knowledge and skills, and to help bridge the divide between those who have access to dance classes and those who don’t. I already have some ideas to make this a reality and will be expanding on these ideas during my studies,” she said.
Shannon is scheduled to start her studies in September but will not be going to New York unless she can find funding before 30 April.
Her studies will cost $65 000 a year for Ailey-Fordham – of which she still needs to scrape together $55 000 and $60 000 a year for Pace. For this she still needs $30 000.
Shannon has to advise the universities about her decision by 1 May.
If she hasn’t raised the money by 30 April she won’t be going.
Shannon and her family is appealing to patrons of the arts to help her set the stage on fire.
Details: Stephen on 082 770 5554
082 770 5554 or sweir@global.co.za
