Here’s a little update…
After I finished Nutcracker I started auditioning for summer intensives. This is my favorite part of the dance season because I start thinking about what schools I want to audition for in hopes of getting to train there for the summer. Summer training is very important in a dancers training because you get exposed to different types of teachers and teaching styles outside of your home studio. Summer intensives also give you a way to be seen by prestigious dance schools.
This year I auditioned for The Royal Ballet School in the UK. I also auditioned for Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Central PA Youth Ballet (CPYB) , and The Washington Ballet’s (TWB) summer intensives. Recently, I was invited by an organization for blacks in ballet called MOBBallet to participate in their intensive in Boston, MA. This intensive is going to have current and retired black ballerinas as our mentors and teachers! One of my favorite Ballerinas named Lauren Anderson will be there!!! This is an amazing experience because I will get to dance with other dancers that look like me, and I will also have teachers that look like me! 😁
I’m proud say that I was accepted into all of the intensives I applied for, even Royal Ballet! After talking with my parents I decided that I would attend CPYB, TWB, MOBBallet and Complexions summer intensives. I’m so grateful for all of these opportunities. I am also very excited about the different styles and techniques of dance ill be learning this summer. These intensives are really going to help me become a well verse dancer.
If you’d like to donate to my summer training please follow this go fund me link or simply Zelle me at karispendleton@icloud.com
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ALSO…
OMG! Last week I had the honor of being interviewed by an organization called Be The Bridge Youth (BTBY). Be The Bridge Youth helps young voices be heard by creating safe spaces for teens and college students where “the truth is told, justice is fought for, and reconciliation is possible.”
Uncle Jeff, a very close family friend whos like an uncle to me works for this organization and asked to interview me for black history month on what it’s like being black in ballet. When I was 11, I was interviewed by the news on this topic but because I was so nervous, I don’t feel like was fully able to communicate all of my experiences, the adversity I faced, and my feelings cleary. So having the interview with uncle Jeff meant a lot to me because I had a second chance to tell my story. This time I was able to talk about my everything that I’ve faced so far much clearer than I was a few years ago. Before I had my interview I was praying that I would inspire and touch the lives of kids and adults. After the interview was published I found out that I touched and inspired a lot of people which I am so grateful to God for.
Thank you SO much Uncle Jeff, and Be the bridge youth for this opportunity!! I’m thankful I had an opportunity to inspire and encourage others.💖
Karis Pendleton 
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