(This article orginally appeared in the Jan. 31 print edition of the Herald)

Galen Kusic, Editor

13-year old Benicia Middle School student Bella Cannon was recently accepted into ArtEmotion, an elite summer ballet intensive (sister program to Ballet West Academy) in Cleveland, OH. Girls from all over the country auditioned and only 100 were accepted by invitation only.

“She is very excited and honored to have this opportunity,” said Bella’s mother, Becca Cannon.

At the academy, Cannon will be studying ballet technique, pointe, stage character, choreography,  studio and professional etiquette, dance history, nutrition, injury prevention, and more. The girls will have an intense schedule where they dance from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily. The program is intended to advance dancers who are preparing for professional company ballet life.

As one might imagine, this is a very unexpected expense, and Bella is looking for any businesses or individuals who would be willing to help sponsor her. Any donation below $500 is considered a personal charitable donation and is a tax write-off.

Bella first started dancing at 18 months old. By three, she had started ballet, and by five, she auditioned for and made a local ballet company in Utah. She danced with the company until her family moved to Benicia at the end of 2018.

“She was devastated to leave her dance company,” said Becca. “We actually stayed in Utah through the end of the year just to allow her to finish out performing the Nutracker.”

After moving from Salt Lake City, Bella auditioned for Berkeley Ballet and was offered a placement. She hopes to pursue a college scholarship through ballet and wants to become part of a professional corps one day, while aspiring to study medicine in college. She is also a budding artist.

“She loves school here, she has a wonderful group of friends,” said Becca. “Ballet is where she has really found her home. She loves the structure, movement, choreography and the classical nature of it.”

Bella’s biggest role model is Misty Copeland, the first African American Principal Dancer with the American Ballet Theatre. She looks up to her as a strong, intelligent woman that has broken every barrier placed in front of her.

To donate toward Bella’s tuition and travel fare, please contact Becca at beccacannonphotography@gmail.com or Venmo @Becca-Cannon-1.

Below is a letter Bella wrote requesting support for her once in a lifetime opportunity:

Dear future sponsor,

I would like to take a moment to introduce myself. My name is Bella Cannon and I am about to turn 13 years old. I am a student at Benicia Middle School and I get good grades. My parents make sure of it, but I am also really self-motivated. I love to read, sometimes I would rather read than sleep! I am also working toward becoming a great artist. I have a lot of interests, but my main passion is ballet.

We moved to Benicia just over a year ago from Salt Lake City, UT. It has been a challenging transition but what made it easier is that I earned a placement dancing for Berkeley Ballet. I have worked so hard to get where I am in ballet and I am really working hard to advance my ballet education and earn a college scholarship and turn that into a career.

I recently auditioned for a summer dance intensive in Cleveland, OH. It is an intensive through Ballet West Academy and it is a really coveted intensive. The invitation to attend is only extended to 100 students across the entire country. I just learned that they would like me to attend! It is a fantastic opportunity and one I would love to be able to go. Although I would love to go, the expense is fairly high. I am looking for sponsors who would be willing to help me with the cost of the tuition, the boarding and the travel fees. Any help toward the cost would be greatly appreciated!

I am so excited for this opportunity. Thank you so much for your consideration in becoming a sponsor and helping me to achieve my dream. I look forward to hearing from you.

Bella Cannon