Through memberships, direct donations and the annual Young Dancer’s Workshop, Friends of Dance continues to raise funds to provide financial support for the policies, projects and activities of the School of Dance, as well as encouraging participation and attendance of various productions. The Friends of Dance Leadership Council, made up of an active group of volunteers, is dedicated to providing support in a variety of ways with a strong emphasis on student scholarships.

To find out more about membership levels and benefits please see our Season and Membership Brochure. If you would like to become a member of Friends of Dance, please complete your membership online or download this year’s brochure, to mail in your gift. For additional information about Friends of Dance, contact Jessica Comas jcomas@advance.fsu.edu.

Below are special notes from students Fernanda Romero and Elizabeth Minneau, two of the students who received scholarships in 2025 through Friends of Dance donors like you.

I am honored and deeply grateful to be a recipient of the Friends of Dance Fund Scholarship. Your generosity has provided me with invaluable support as I pursue my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance at Florida State University. As a first-generation college student from a Chilean-Cuban family, navigating higher education has been both an exciting and challenging journey. The financial aspect of pursuing my degree has been a struggle, but one of the greatest lessons my family has instilled in me is the value of hard work and gratitude. Your support not only eases my financial burden but also reinforces my commitment to making the most of every opportunity at FSU.

As a transfer student, my transition into the School of Dance has been incredibly rewarding. I currently serve as the Transfer Representative in the Student Advisory Council, where I help foster a sense of community among students adjusting to the program. I am thoroughly enjoying my contemporary classes, particularly those focused on the Dunham Technique, as well as my ballet training. The faculty here are not only knowledgeable but also deeply invested in our growth as artists, which makes the learning experience truly fulfilling.

My ultimate goal is to tour with a professional dance company, and also be part of the academic system, and my time at FSU is equipping me with the technical training, creative exploration, and professional connections to make that dream a reality. I am beyond grateful for the generosity of donors like you who believe in the power of dance and education. Thank you for investing in my journey—I look forward to continuing to grow and contribute to the dance community with your support.

Fernanda Romero, BFA Class of 2026

I am very grateful that you made this gift possible, and I am extremely excited to attend the FSU ARTs in NYC Program with the help of your donation.

My name is Elizabeth Mineau, and I am a senior dance major at Florida State. Dance has always been a large part of my life, and it kept me grounded as I moved eight times before graduating high school due to my father’s job in the Air Force. I received dance training across the country and the globe, and am now pursuing a well-rounded collegiate education at Florida State University. Florida State provides an incredible environment for me to continue my studies and to bring me closer to my goal of joining a professional ballet company. During my three and a half years at Florida State, I performed two Balanchine ballets set by the legendary ballerina Suzanne Farrell, took dance classes every morning with experienced professors, performed in multiple MFA thesis concerts, met talented dancers who will be my lifelong friends, attended the Dance in Paris program, supplemented my dancing with rigorous academic classes, and much more. I am also proud to represent the Florida State School of Dance and its dedicated spirit as an active Tallahassee Ballet corps de ballet member. I spent the last two summers working for American Ballet Theater and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York City, and I cannot wait to be back in the city for a full semester.

Your donation will help fund a life-changing experience with the Florida State University School of Dance ARTs in NYC Program. I am extremely excited to take dance technique classes in New York City and learn from teachers with different backgrounds and dance knowledge. I will also work as an intern for Amanda Selwyn Dance Theater/Notes in Motion as a part of the program and will further my dance connections and knowledge as I prepare to move into the professional field. I will continue to develop my dance practice and understanding of the NYC community by attending three dance performances a week and completing my other academic courses rooted in dance choreography and career paths. Thank you so much for making this experience in NYC possible!

Elizabeth Mineau, BFA Class of 2025