By Dan Aceto

Staff Writer

Arianna Lawson may still be learning how to drive, but she certainly knows how to dance.

The 16-year-old Scarborough resident was accepted last month into the renowned Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow, an honor given to only four to five girls throughout the country each year. If she is able to raise money to attend the school, she could be training upwards of six to seven hours per day toward becoming a professional dancer.

“The work ethic is going to be rigorous, but I’m up for the challenge,” she said.

Although Arianna may have started her ballet career rehearsing steps on the kitchen floor in her parents’ home, she could perform for a slightly larger audience if she is able to raise money to train abroad. 

The program, which only last year began admitting students from outside Russia, is one of the most prestigious ballet academies in the world. Although tuition is free for those who live in the country, foreign students, such as Arianna, are offered no scholarships to help pay the $18,000 annual tuition for the three-year academy.

To help raise money, the family has organized a Sept. 24 golf tournament at Dunegrass Country Club in Old Orchard Beach. The tournament will cost $75 to register and includes various challenges throughout the day, including a closest to the pin contest and longest drive. 

The family also has set up an account for donations at TD Bank under the name Arianna’s Ballet Fund, but prefers donations be sent directly to their home at 10 Berry Road, Scarborough, 04074, so the family may express thanks directly to those who have helped support their cause. Although it’s only been two weeks since the fund was established, the family has already raised close to $3,500.

Arianna has traveled as far as Texas to attend summer ballet programs since she was 12, and said she is “ready for the challenge” and doesn’t mind being away from home. 

Through Facebook, she has been able to stay in contact with fellow dance friends she has met through the years, including some who are now in Russia and will help prepare her for what’s to come. 

Although she has heard the food in Russia is a bit different than the cream cheese bagels and Sour Patch Kids she has grown accustomed to during the years, she thinks the Starbucks just down the road from the academy will help ease her pain.

Russian instructors do ask their students to keep a mindful diet however, and would like to see each student weigh approximately 82 pounds. Although Arianna nearly does, she feels that some students’ obsessions over weight may be more the result of attaining a certain image, rather than actually reflecting a level of skill. Arianna’s instructors have asked the diminutive dander to lose 10 pounds, although she is uncertain if she will be able to. 

“It’s a scary piece for me,” said Michelle Lawson.

Like any concerned parent, Michelle Lawson is hesitant to see her daughter move away from home. Although she said the family supports Arianna’s decision 100 percent, Michelle Lawson said she may only be able to see her daughter during summer when school is out of session because a one-way ticket to Moscow costs more than $800.

Arianna’s father, Paul Lawson, has been out of work as an electrician and has sought employment in Russia. If Paul Lawson is able, he will find a house where he and his daughter can live during her stay.

Arianna’s roommate from a summer camp in New York City also was accepted into the program, and if all goes well, the two will room together in fall.

In addition to studying ballet, Arianna plans to take several online academic courses, including Russian, while she is at the academy. Although there are no translators available at the academy, the dancer said she is not worried she won’t be able to keep up in class because much of ballet terminology is the same in any language.

Arianna plans to audition for companies – ballet groups that will be able to hire her full time to perform shows locally and on the road. She said she hopes to find work with a company in the United States once she graduates from Bolshoi so she can be closer to family and friends.

Although support and donations from the community have been positive, there is still a long way to go, Michelle Lawson said. If the family is able to raise the remainder of the money, Arianna will leave for Moscow Oct. 18.

Michelle Lawson described the past few months as being, “hectic, but in a good way.” 

She said the entire family is “exceptionally proud of Arianna and her hard work, and will do everything in their power to make this happen.”