2017 Justin & Julia Blackpool Journey
D A N C E S P O R T E D U C A T I O N
2017 Justin & Julia Blackpool Journey
Crafting Champions: Support Our Talent: Justin and Julia
DanceSport Education is proud to introduce Justin Lujan and Julia Zilman, as our first ever Arizona DanceSport junior couple, selected and invited by US DanceSport officials to represent their age division on the U.S. DanceSport team in Blackpool, England. Blackpool is the world’s quintessential ballroom competition, which every DanceSport athlete strives to win, but participating there is already a huge achievement. This is the strongest and most recognized competitive DanceSport event in the world! Just last year, there were over 33 countries represented with over 400 couples. We are proud and honored, as Julia Zilman is, in fact, the official face of our organization, DanceSport Education.
DanceSport Education is launching a fundraising campaign to support Justin and Julia’s successful participation in Blackpool, England. Together, we will support financially the efforts of their parents, instructors and coaches in preparing this young couple to successfully compete and represent the US at this most competitive world event. DanceSport is a very young sport in the US and is not supported financially compared to some other established sports, especially at the youth development stage.
About Justin and Julia:
Justin and Julia (10 and 9 years old) train as a couple since 2014. Justin is a home-schooled student; Julia is a student at Great Hearts Archway Scottsdale Academy. Both of them are straight A students. Together, they have gone from newcomers to strong finalists and winners of major U.S. DanceSport competitions. In addition, they share their dance talent and passion in support of community and charity fundraising events in Metro Phoenix and Arizona. Now they need your support for their talent and to represent the United States on a world stage.
Financial Need:
So far, both families have been covering their training and competition costs and will continue to do so. But they will need help with the excessive costs, due the high caliber competition and international travel to Blackpool, England. The total estimated need is $21,000, of which both families can support $6,000; we are seeking to fundraise $15,000 to make this event possible.
TRAINING: $6,000:
Justin and Julia will need intense training for the next two months prior to the competition in England. To acquire high competitive skills, Justin and Julia train individually and as a couple. They will need to continue working with their immediate instructors, here in Arizona, as well as top coaches from the U.S. and will also take coaching lessons from some of the top, world class coaches in England, the week prior to the competition. The average price of a lesson of that caliber is: for instruction - $95; for coaching in the U.S. - $250; and for coaching in England - $300.
Costuming: $2,000:
Justin and Julia will need two sets of competition attire. Ballroom costumes are not mass-produced. Each costume is carefully designed and styled to represent and emphasize the qualities and character of each competitor and the character of the couple. Each costume is hand crafted with special, 3-D stretch, dry-fit and color steady fabrics and embellishments, to withstand numerous uses throughout the many rounds of the competition and still look nice at the final.
Competition Registration Fees: $1,000
Travel $9,000:
Justin and Julia are minors and they need to travel with at least 1 parent. This is their first ever overseas travel and they will need their parental support. Travel includes RT air fare, as well as car rental for in-country travel Justin and Julia will need to travel to the studios, where their British coaches provide instruction.
Lodging: $3,000:
Both families will share a two bedroom apartment in England, which they will rent for ten days. This is a common practice for all competitors while in England.
Ways to Help:
You can make a donation by cash and check to DanceSport Education, which is an Arizona, not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) organization and contributions are tax-deductible.
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Please, send a check to:
DanceSport Education
604 E Balboa Dr.
Tempe AZ, 85282
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