Florida Youth Dancers Invited to Perform at International Arts Festival in China

Eighteen youth dancers from Ormond Beach's European School of Performing Arts (ESPA) will spend November 10-18, 2013 representing Florida and the nation as one of only two US invitees (and the only youth group from America) at the 15th Annual International Arts Festival in Shanghai, China.

With talents like The Boys Choir of Harlem and trumpeter extraordinaire Chris Botti in attendance in recent years, the Festival, hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Shanghai Municipal People's Government, is a by-invitation-only gathering of elite musicians, dancers, actors and other performance artists from around the world.

The Ormond Beach dancers-whose ages range from 13 to 17-could not be happier about representing their community, state, and country in Shanghai during the Festival's "Daily Performances," "Foreign Artists in the Community," and "Family Day" events.

"This is a once in a lifetime experience for all of us," says ESPA dancer Diana Cheney, 15. "I am honored to say all of our hard work and dedication is going towards representing the United States at such a distinguished international festival."

The immense honor also brings with it an equally immense price tag. To fund airfare, travel related expenses and costumes, the teens and their parents will host fundraisers leading up to the trip including a Bowling with Ballerinas event, but they are also inviting businesses and individuals to sponsor the trip to be part of the excitement. Sponsorship benefits include exposure in regional marketing and media efforts and in-kind opportunities.

Brad Giles, owner and operator of Giles Electric, Inc. in South Daytona, Florida and father of one of the ESPA dancers, has committed a sponsorship from his company and hopes that others in the community will jump on board, even if they have no blood relation to the girls.

"We would be delighted if the entire community got behind these hard working, spirited young women. We should all share in their pride and show the country and the world that we support our kids and the arts."

For more information and for sponsorship opportunities, please contact Germaine Bledsoe at (386)677-6316 or espa(at)espadance(dot)com. A fundraising page is posted at http://www.facebook.com/ESPAInternationalArtsFestivalTrip.

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