A DYNAMIC dancer who won places at three performing arts schools is asking for the public’s help to follow her dreams.
Talented Emily Gara, 19, who studies at Old Town’s Judith Hockaday School of Dance, won the trio of highly sought-after places after a gruelling round of auditions – but without funds risks having to give up on her dreams of performing in the West End.
Emily, from Oakhurst, who began dancing at the age of two, is now bidding to raise the £2,000-per-term cost of attending a performing arts school, which mum Debbie cannot afford.
“Mum has been great and supported me every step of the way but it is such a lot of money to have to pay for three years,” Emily said.
“But all I want is a chance to do what I love.”
With no arts funding currently available, Emily faces the prospect of having to take off her dancing shoes for good unless she finds sufficient funds by the start of the school year in September.
The twinkle-toed teen has attended the Judith Hockaday school for three years, learning ballet, jazz, modern and classical dance and performing in numerous productions.
Emily has tasted success once before when she put her best foot forward to win a place in West End Musical Billy Elliot when she was just 10 years old.
She said: “I never expected to get that part but I ended up going from 500 girls to the final 10. I played the role for a year and it was incredible. Since then it’s all I’ve wanted to do.”
She combines her daily dance classes with teaching at the weekends.
Now Emily is asking the public to help her fulfil her dream of attending Laine Performing Arts School, in Epsom, Surrey.
She also plans to hold fundraising events such as a car boot sale to raise the money she needs to make it to performing arts school.
“This is all I’ve ever wanted to do. It means so much to me,” she added.
“If I got the funds to be able to do this I would be the most dedicated student. I would go to every class, I would give it my all, all day every day. I would never stop trying to be better.
“I would never take anything for granted.
“All I’m asking for is a chance.
“It would mean everything to me, this is the only thing I know how to do and dancing enables me to travel somewhere else, become someone else.”
If you want to support Emily, email her at emilygara@icloud.com.
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