A letter from EBTC’s Incoming Artistic Director, Amanda Miller

Dear friends and family,

I am beyond excited to be taking the Artistic helm of English Ballet Theatre Cambodia (EBTC) in its 9th year! From its pre-professional training curriculum, Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) teaching certificate program, open classes and community based learning programs, I see how this small school has been able to effect change in their student’s lives, and I plan to continue and expand on this trajectory through new initiatives and programs. I am dreaming big for the future of this school and it’s students, and I am writing to ask for your support.  

EBTC is a community built on a passion for dance and an understanding of its far reaching positive effects. The student body is comprised of both locals and expats who share this passion, and have found that dance can be a constant for them as they navigate this wide world.  Recent graduate Sy Naet, a local student from a residential care facility, is in her second year at London’s Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance. She has just received a merit based scholarship, and was asked to create and perform a dance work as a representative of Cambodia at this year’s ASEAN conference.

Current student Pau, also from a local residential care facility, is working to become a SHE-CAN scholar , their first with a focus on dance. Pau will be applying to college dance programs in the US next year, and serves as an ambassador for our school in the local community - sharing her story and encouraging other young Khmer dancers to try out ballet. 

We are looking to see this success and impact multiplied through more scholarships and opportunities for students in the coming years. The new programs I am proposing are all geared toward developing strong ballet and contemporary dancers, creating an environment where dancers are active participants in their learning, and deepening our connection to our local community. For 2021 we will be expanding in three key areas: 

1) Depth of pre professional training - we will be  increasing  weekly class offerings to include pointe class, stretch and strengthening, and adding more class hours as part of our semester curriculum. 

2) The launch of a Choreographic Workshop -- This is a project based learning platform that allows students to explore the process of creating a new dance work, thus developing skills in leadership, creative problem solving, collaboration, planning and implementation, and much more. 

3) Expansion of our relationships with local community partners, culminating in additional scholarships to local students interested in studying with us. 

Your donation goes a long way in facilitating our plans and reaching our goals. For 2021 we are looking to raise $21,000! Just $15 a month covers one young learner for their first semester of classes, $100 a month allows our advanced students one semester of daily classes and pre-professional performance opportunities, $350 provides one student the Choreographic Workshop experience. Interested in supporting a teacher trainee? In providing pointe shoes and uniforms for students? In building a new, and badly needed, sprung floor? There are many ways to help and your contribution goes directly towards supporting our students. Please follow the link below to donate via PayPal, or feel free to reach out for other payment options.

Thank you for your kind support, and we look forward to sharing our activities in The Kingdom of Wonder!

Sincerely,
Amanda

Miro Dance Theatre DBA Miller Rothlein is acting as a fiscal sponsor for English Ballet Theatre Cambodia. All donations to Miller Rothlein for EBTC are 100% tax deductible. Make your donation via PayPal by clicking below.