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, 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.

A reflection of just how talented Sofia is, incredibly thoughtful people including Academy Artistic Director Luca Masala at the world’s leading ballet academy, Princess Grace Academy in Monaco, are now doing their part to provide Sofia safe haven and scholarship enrollment at the Academy. Working with the Academy, NPAFE is covering Sofia’s lodging, medical insurance, and living expenses.

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, as a student at the State Ballet Academy in Kyiv for mastering classical ballet, 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 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:

• • Sofia Naumenko on Instagram
  • More about NPAFE and AAlchemy.
  • More about Young America Grand Prix: YAGP and the Princess Grace Academy.

Email us anytime at sofia.yagp@npafe.org and we’ll keep you up-to-date on this unfolding adventure.