Dancer uses crowdfunding to raise fees for UK ballet school
A BALLET enthusiast, who is the son of an e-rickshaw driver in Delhi, is using a crowdfunding campaign to raise money to pay the fees for a training course at the prestigious English National Ballet School in London.
Kamal Singh, 20, dreams of representing India at an international dance platform after he won admission to the school’s oneyear Professional Trainee Programme. However, he needs to raise enough funds not only towards the fees but also the high living costs in London.
“My family and my coach always stood by my side, they never gave up on me. Unfortunately, I could not afford the fees of the one-year programme – £8,000 – not to mention the additional living expenses in London – at least £1,000 per month,” said Singh, whose father runs an e-rickshaw in Delhi. “I decided to raise funds on Ketto. I am moved by the love and support I have been getting from the people. I am so grateful to the people who donated for my campaign,” he said.
Singh has already raised more than £18,000 of his target of £27,777, attracting messages of support from hundreds of supporters from around the world.
“You are a great dancer and I hope your dreams come true. Do India proud in the international dance community,” a contributor said. Another added: “I hope you succeed to the best of your capabilities, raise the bar and reach greater heights. Make every well-wisher proud of your achievements.”
The young dancer was oblivious to the world of ballet four years ago, when a chance encounter with Maestro Fernando Aguilera, the director of a ballet school and company in New Delhi, changed the course of his life.
He soon fell in love with the classical dance form and embarked upon the tough training regime, finding it quite challenging as he started to learn only from the age of 17.
Despite the late start, Aguilera had confidence in Singh’s talent and trained him for eight to nine hours a day. After years of hard work, his dream came true with an enrolment at the renowned ballet school in London.
“We are excited to introduce this new programme to support talented individuals such as yourself to prepare for your career progression with the dance world,” his admission letter said.
After the one-year training course, Singh hopes to join the English National Ballet Company as a professional dancer on a monthly salary.
Mumbai-based Ketto is a platform for online crowdfunding for social, creative and other personal causes.