Ballerina gets help from community fundraiser.
Rashida Quaye, a nine-year-old ballerina from Leslieville is currently in her second year of studying dance at Canada's National Ballet School. A fundraiser to help her mother keep Rashida in dance classes was held recently.
Photo/COURTESY
Nine-year-old Leslieville ballerina Rashidah Quaye can't say enough about how much she loves dancing.
"It just makes me happy," smiled the Grade 4 student at Bruce Junior Public School, who one day aspires to become a professional ballerina.
"I like learning new moves and new steps."
The bright-eyed youngster started studying the art form about four years ago when her mother, Nofisa Nartey, signed her up for a ballet class at the Matty Eckler Community Recreation Centre on Gerrard Street East.
From the very start Rashidah's talent as a ballerina was evident, said local parent Maylynn Quan, whose eight-year-old daughter Kaia was in the same class.
"Rashidah is outstanding. If you see her dance she really stands out," she said. "She's just amazing."
Under the tutelage of ballet instructor Diane Thomson, Rashidah was encouraged to audition for a spot at Canada's National Ballet School. She began her studies at the prestigious ballet school in the 2008-2009 school year.
Thomson, aware the youngster is being raised in a single-parent home, initially helped secure $2,500 to cover the tuition for her first year.
Uncertain about where the funds would come from for Rashidah's second and third years of ballet, a dedicated group of local parents recently came together to help the little ballerina continue to follow her dreams.
To do so, a core group of parents consisting of Isabell Berry, Tammy Rogers, Philippa Howell, Sean Duranovich, Aries Cheung, JoAnne Purcell, Nathalie Younglai, Sylvie Walsh and Maylynn Quan hosted a family friendly fundraiser on last month at Dominion on Queen at 500 Queen St. E.
"It was really hard when the funds weren't there," said Quan, also crediting Lululemon for donating clothing and items for the fundraiser as well as a complete dance outfit for Rashidah.
In total, the event raised $4,000 of the $5,000 Rashidah needs to get through the next two years at Canada's National Ballet School.
"I feel so amazing, so emotional. I couldn't believe all the people that came," said Nartey, who came to Canada from Ghana in 1999 and currently works part-time in child care.
"I couldn't believe there were people who feel for us and helped us. I really appreciate what they did for us. Without them Rashidah can't continue (with her ballet training at Canada's National Ballet School)."
Nartey, who called her daughter's ballet talent "a gift," also thanked the many people from Rashidah's school who donated to the cause.
Rashidah's older sister Rahima, along with two friends, baked dozens of brownies and cupcakes for her little sister's fundraiser.
The Grade 11 student said she's also touched by the community's outpouring of support.
"It's very inspirational to see so many people can care about just one person and help make her dreams come true," said the 16-year-old Riverdale Collegiate pupil.
Nartey is able to apply for a full scholarship for Rashidah in September 2011 as Rashidah will be eligible to apply for the school's professional program for Grade 6 students.
Visit www.ariescheung.com/rashidah/ for more information about how to help Rashidah Quaye continue her dance studies at Canada's National Ballet School.