May 7, 2013 2:00pm by David Farrar

Help a young Kiwi reach the top

A worthy release:

Young West Aucklander, and former Avondale College student, Joel Walsham has achieved what many others only dream of. At the age of 18, he has secured places at three of the world’s top dance training programs.

Earlier this year Joel travelled to Los Angeles and New York on a scholarship from the Phoenix International Dance Convention to attend classes at the Edge Performing Arts Center. During his time in the United States, Joel auditioned for three Bachelor of Fine Arts programs at the Lines Ballet / Dominican University, The Ailey School / Fordham University and the Tisch School of the Arts / New York University.

All three of these programs represent the highest standard in contemporary dance and liberal arts education, producing dancers that ﬁll the world’s top dance companies.

Joel was offered admission at all three schools.

Beginning dancing at age three, Joel has studied Jazz, Tap, Ballet and Contemporary. His dancing has taken him throughout the country and abroad and it has always been his dream to pursue a professional career in dance.

Between him and his dream stood three auditions, complete with a classical ballet class, contemporary class and a solo performance that Joel had choreographed himself.

By gaining a place at the LINES Ballet School, he is one only 18 students. Joel is the ﬁrst New Zealander to be accpeted into this program and there are currently no other international students in the Bachelor of Fine Arts.

He leaves for San Francisco in August, where he will be based for the next four years. Joel aims to pursue a career in choreography, and return to New Zealand as a leader in the arts.

That’s a great achievement at age 18. Joe’s website is here. He is trying to crowd-source funding to cover the costs of studying at this top school. If you can donate to help him out, or maybe even want to sponsor, check out his crowd-source page. A video of Joel’s dancing is below.