Sofia Naumenko from Ukraine
The Future Of
Exquisite Ballet
And Modern Dance
At 15 years old already placing first
in Europe, selected to compete
in the United States.
Striving for and achieving
perfection.
.
But then Russia invaded
her home town of Bucha,
looting, shooting, killing…
“This is who I am!”
..
Sofia Naumenko from Ukraine
The Future Of
Exquisite Ballet
And Modern Dance
At 15 years old already placing first
in Europe. selected to compete
in the United States.
Striving for and achieving perfection.
But then Russia invaded her home town of Bucha, looting, shooting, killing…
…
“This is who I am!”
Help us help
Sofia Naumenko…
…so that despite Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the destruction of her home town near Kyiv, she can continue her education and ballet training.
Sofia Naumenko in her
own words…
Ballet is my addiction and my life. At the age of 6, I saw Sylvie Guillem perform and realized that I did not make the wrong choice, it would be my life. And so it turned out.
…
Hit hard, I won’t fall either way. I’ll stay on my feet.
…
I just don’t think like they do.
Help us help
Sofia Naumenko…
…so that despite Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the destruction of her home town near Kyiv, she can continue her education and ballet training.
Sofia Naumenko in NPAFE’s words…
After her first-place win in last October’s Young American Grand Prix (YAGP) Junior Division 2021 regionals in Berlin, the then-14-year-old student of ballet Sofia Naumenko had been named by YAGP to compete for global Junior Division first place at the YAGP Annual Finals in Tampa, Florida April 12-23, 2022.
NPAFE and AAlchemy were helping Sofia and her mom and dad make their way to the US for this one-of-a-kind competition moment.
But then, Russia invaded Ukraine, leveling a good portion of Bucha, murdering many of its citizens, making the US trip impossible, and forcing her mother Elizabeta not only to find safety for her daughter outside Ukraine but also to enable Sofia to continue her high school education and ballet training.
Incredibly thoughtful people are joining with NPAFE to support Sofia’s tuition, lodging, medical insurance, and living expenses as she continues along her educational pathway towards stardom.
From Ukraine.
One look at this photo confirms Sofia’s powerful message: “Make no mistake! This too is who I am!”.
Sofia’s unwavering self-discipline in mastering classical ballet, as a student for many years at the State Ballet College in Kyiv, earlier this year as an exceptional student at Monaco’s Princess Grace Academy, and now enrolled at the acclaimed Hightower Academy in Cannes, represents not only her own talent, drive and self-esteem but also all that is good and great about Ukraine.
There’s more. Sofia’s genius and self-drive reaches beyond classical ballet to take on the physical and intellectual challenges of mastering contemporary ballet and modern dance.
NPAFE and AAlchemy are fortunate and proud to be working with Sofia and her parents. As with all performing artists allied with NPAFE and AAlchemy, our support to the Naumenkos is fully pro bono.
This includes combining NPAFE’s own funding for Sofia’s education with that from generous donors in the United States, Ukraine, and other countries, all to assure that Sofia’s future unfolds as problem-free as possible, and to extend this support to others as well. Every dollar, pound or euro you donate will go to Sofia and more like her, with nothing off the top for NPAFE.
Be sure to watch the three short videos when you scroll down. And you can find out even more here:
Email us anytime at sofia.yagp@npafe.org and we’ll keep you up-to-date on this unfolding adventure.
Help us help
Sofia Naumenko…
…so that despite Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the destruction of her home town near Kyiv, she can continue her education and ballet training.
Sofia Naumenko in her own words…
Ballet is my addiction and my life. At the age of 6, I saw Sylvie Guillem perform and realized that I did not make the wrong choice, it would be my life. And so it turned out.
Hit hard, I won’t fall either way,
I’ll stay on my feet.
I just don’t think like they do.
….
Sofia Naumenko in NPAFE’s words…
After her first-place win in last October’s Young American Grand Prix (YAGP) Junior Division 2021 regionals in Berlin, the then-14-year-old student of ballet Sofia Naumenko had been named by YAGP to compete for global Junior Division first place at the YAGP Annual Finals in Tampa, Florida April 12-23, 2022.
NPAFE and AAlchemy were helping Sofia and her mom and dad make their way to the US for this one-of-a-kind competition moment.
But then, Russia invaded Ukraine, leveling a good portion of Bucha, murdering many of its citizens, making the US trip impossible, and forcing her mother Elizabeta not only to find safety for her daughter outside Ukraine but also to enable Sofia to continue her high school education and ballet training.
Incredibly thoughtful people are joining with NPAFE to support Sofia’s tuition, lodging, medical insurance, and living expenses as she continues along her educational pathway towards stardom.
From Ukraine.
One look at this photo confirms her powerful message: “Make no mistake! This too is who I am!”.
Sofia’s unwavering self-discipline in mastering classical ballet, as a student for many years at the State Ballet College in Kyiv, earlier this year as an exceptional student at Monaco’s Princess Grace Academy, and now enrolled at the acclaimed Hightower Academy in Cannes, represents not only her own talent, drive and self-esteem but also all that is good and great about Ukraine.
There’s more. Sofia’s genius and self-drive reaches beyond classical ballet to take on the physical and intellectual challenges of mastering contemporary ballet and modern dance.
NPAFE and AAlchemy are fortunate and proud to be working with Sofia and her parents. As with all performing artists allied with NPAFE and AAlchemy, our support to the Naumenkos is fully pro bono.
This includes combining NPAFE’s own funding with that from generous donors in the United States, Ukraine, and other countries, all to assure that Sofia’s future unfolds as problem-free as possible, and to extend this support to others as well. Every dollar, pound or euro you donate will go to Sofia and more like her, with nothing off the top for NPAFE.
Be sure to watch the three short videos when you scroll down. And you can find out lots more here:
Email us anytime at sofia.yagp@npafe.org and we’ll keep you up-to-date on this unfolding adventure.
Help us help
Sofia Naumenko…
…so that despite Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the destruction of her home town near Kyiv, she can continue her education and ballet training.
Sofia Naumenko Video Sampler
Turn your mobile device sideways to watch the videos in total full screen!