How Life Changes

Daya has been accepted into the Pacific-Northwest Ballet summer intensive.

It is a 5 week program in Seattle.

It's a competitive program and I'm proud of her.

*************

However-- and I told her this several months ago-- summer intensives are not a priority any longer.

From my perspective, they are no longer a "dance need", they are a want.

It has no impact on college prep.

And I'm not paying for it.

Every summer since she was 12, I pay about $3,000 for her summer training.

It's time to lay that burden down.

Well, it's just going to transition to another form because you know, college.

It's time for Daya to get a job. Or two.

Start earning and saving money for college this summer.

Get into the real world a bit.

Experience life and people outside the Magic Dance Bubble.

This is what happens when you grow up.

***************

Daya also applied for the SAB summer program, which no one gets into.

It was also the first summer program she ever auditioned for when she was 12.

I think we both wanted to see if she could get in, especially after LaG and MYB training, so I said ok to the audition and I paid the $40.

Along with that came the caveat that it doesn't mean I'm paying for it if she gets in.

She said ok. She didn't get in so no worries there.

Then one of her teachers at LaG said she should audition for ABT and if she got in they might be able to pull strings for a scholarship. 

Once again I said I'm not paying for it, and also you have to pay the $40 for the audition this time.

Daya got mad and asked why I wouldn't pay for ABT since I paid for SAB.

I said "Consider it a gift."

She didn't like that answer but she went ahead and paid the $40 herself.

She got into a different ABT program than the one she wanted, so that's a no.

Fine by me.

***************

Daya could not audition for PNB in-person on the audition tour because we were in LA that weekend.  

I didn't even know she submitted a video until after it was done.

One of her MYB teachers helped her.

PNB states clearly on their website they do NOT offer financial aid to video submissions.

Her teacher said he has family there that has housed dancers before.

Despite the fact that no one discussed this with me, and my afore-mentioned requirement that Daya gets a job(s) this summer, I acknowledged that she was looking for a way to make it happen that was not through me. 

And that's a good thing. It's a mature approach.

Tuition plus room and board is $6,770.

Plus airfare.

And at least 3-4 pairs of pointe shoes ($3-400).

But let's face it, no one gives free room and board for 5 weeks, even if she stays with a local family.

I wouldn't do it, nor would I expect anyone else to do it.

**************

The reality is even if by some bizarre miracle she gets what I am estimating is likely to run upwards $7,600, THIS IS NOT THE PRIORITY and she needs to GET A JOB.

Developmentally, she needs to start working. 

A first job is a major part of growing up.

You cannot get a summer job if you're gone for 5 weeks.

I would never pay this much, ever, for a dance intensive.

The only reason she got to go to Chicago last summer was 2 scholarships.

And I still didn't really get a break, because she had other dance expenses, like her solo choreographer.  She needed clothing and new shoes. And dance stuff. There were a lot of incidentals, and this stuff adds up fast.

I was very glad to be able to provide that support, and also get her some things she really had been needing but didn't want to ask for.

********

But this summer, we are transitioning.

This is such a weird year in so many ways.