British Airways is looking for British talent

I would be so thrilled. This would help with so many practical things. It would mean that I would have more money to pay for all my ballet shoes and dancewear , plasters for my toes which come in high numbers !! and glue for my shoes to make them last longer - so I don't need to buy a new pair every week. This glue is so important. It has to come from America because they don't do it in England anymore and the price has increased massively. Whenever I need new ballet shoes my mum has to bring them from England because they are specially made. If I need a tutu for a performance and I have to buy one , then not having to pay for flights would make it easier for me to get a performance quality tutu which are very expensive.
Every week I need to buy groceries for myself and in Russia it can be very expensive.
Health insurance is expensive too and I need it because I am in a foreign country and dancers need a lot of physiotherapy and massage, These things are key to athletes and every one of these things adds up , and makes the expense a real issue. There are tuition fees as well . So if I could possibly have the chance to have some free flights to Russia, that would be a real breakthrough.
No-one can remember another British student coming here in the 270 year history of the school. It is amazing. The ballets that everyone knows - Swan Lake, the Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty - were all made here. This summer I was invited to a party for the Queen's birthday at the British Consulate because I am the only British student at the Vaganova Academy. I met some really interesting people, Russian and British, and I realised that there's a big responsibility because you are representing your country. This is such a special chance in so many ways. But the cost is a big, big worry and makes it even more of a mountain to climb.
I would really appreciate your help
Thank you
Izzy
xxx

I have been learning ballet since I was two - really seriously since I was 7. First of all I went St Joan of Arc Primary School in Highbury, London and I did ballet every Saturday. But then I met a Russian ballet teacher. Her classes were so hard that at first I cried. My Mum thought- well that's that then! But then , after a few days, I asked my Mum if I could see that lady again. She's now very special to me. We've worked hard together for many years. I got into the Royal Ballet School at 13. When I was 14-15 I had a lot of problems when I grew. It was really painful for nearly a year because my bones had grown and my muscles had to catch up. Sometimes it was excruciating to keep going. It was crunch time when I was 15. We were all auditioning for the Royal Ballet School Upper School in Covent Garden. I went on a visit to St Petersburg with my teacher Zina. The head of the Kirov Ballet School ( which is called the Vaganova Ballet Academy) took a look at me. They changed their rules to offer me a place at only 16. I was amazed - ecstatic. For me this is the best ballet school in the world. Rudolph Nureyev went there and Anna Pavlova, Nijinsky, Barishnikov - they make so many great dancers. So last September I was scared stiff to be starting a new life in this school in Russia. I have just completed a year and I am the only British girl there. I am learning Russian. I live in a hostel inside the school and I think it's been the best decision of my life to go. At first trying to keep my legs high for ages was so hard. It is all very, very difficult but so rewarding and inspiring. My family thought I would just go for two years. But when I got there the Russian teachers said they wanted me to learn everything - and that means I will be there four years all together. My parents don't know how they're going to pay for it. It's already cost a lot. Free flights would be such a big help. It will really help give me the best chance to fulfil my dreams