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A teenage ballerina fears she could lose her place at a prestigious Russian ballet school if she fails to find a sponsor.
But the costs of the academy, which produced stars including Anna Pavlova and Vaslav Nijinsky, are putting a strain on her family who are desperately seeking help to fund her future.
She has been shortlisted for a programme called Great Britons run by British Airways which helps young people training in sport, music, fashion and art abroad meet their travel costs. She hopes that by beating her eight rivals to win flights between Britain and Russia she will attract a sponsor to get her through the four years of her course.
“Ballet is desperately expensive and any way to meet any of my costs would be a godsend,” she said. “My fees are £8,000 a year but when you factor in flights home, equipment, shoes, food and bills, it is closer to £25,000. I go through a pair of pointe shoes at £40 a time in just three weeks and I spend a small fortune on plasters for my feet.”
Other costs include health insurance, a necessity in Russia, and extensive physiotherapy and massage.
Her mother Ann McGuire, a freelance television producer who now lives in Buckinghamshire, said: “It is difficult to find the money to support her because the costs are similar to funding an Olympic athlete.
“When she started dancing at the age of two I had no idea what was in store but 15 years down the line I'm looking at a young woman who people tell me could become a star. How can I let her down?”
Isabella, known as Izzy to friends and family, won her place at the school despite its rules stating that foreign students must be aged at least 17.
Teachers were so impressed when they saw her dance they offered her a place, making her the first British student to have been accepted in the school's 270-year history.
She had no hesitation in joining despite the Vaganova's tough reputation and moved to live in a small hostel attached to the school. She does six hours of training a day as well as Russian
lessons.
“At first it was very hard and I missed home but now it is wonderful and feel like I really fit in,” said Isabella. “My family thought I would just go for two years but the teachers said they wanted me to learn everything and that means I will be there four years altogether.”
Before moving to Russia, Isabella spent three years at the Royal Ballet School's White Lodge in Richmond.
She has danced at Covent Garden, Sadler's Wells and the Royal Albert Hall and hopes to join the Royal Ballet once her training at the Vaganova is done.
“My aim is to be as successful as Darcey Bussell,” she said. “I don't want the dream to end and I really need a sponsor to help me reach the end goal. The cost is a big, big worry and makes it even more of a mountain to climb.”
Londoners can vote for Isabella here
