| Biography of Eleena Melamed |
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| Eleena Melamed, who was born in Jerusalem, moved to New York City at age five. She soon began ballet lessons and was accepted into the School of American Ballet at the age of 7. At 17, she joined the corps of the American Ballet Theater. After five years with ABT, she decided that leaving the dance world would be the best decision for her health and future. Eleena enrolled at Columbia University in New York City, as an international politics major. Her coursework earned her a 2003 Goldman Sachs Global Leadership Award and an internship with the grassroots Middle East peace initiative. She spent a summer interning for John Stossel at ABC's 20/20 and another summer interning for the Today Show. |
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| Eleena's Appreciation Letter |
| Thank you so much for everything you did to help me with my trip to Copenhagen. As I think back to my six weeks in Denmark, I feel nothing but joy, and regret that I am not still there. Going to dance with the Royal Danish Ballet was probably one of the most rewarding experienes of my life. I feel honored that I was allowed to train with such a wonderful company and I only wish I could have stayed longer! |
| Upon our arrival at the airport, we were met by Mrs. Schuller (the director of the school). She was so friendly and welcoming, and throughout the six weeks, her help and kindness was greatly appreciated. When she showed me around the theater for the first time I felt overwhelmed! The enormous building with endless hallways and passages seemed extremely intimidating, I feared I would never find my way around. And my first class with the company with so many new faces around me, I felt lost. However, the dancers were so friendly and welcoming. Many came up to me to introduce themselves and welcome me to Copenhagen. They all offered their help if I needed anything. They showed me back to my dressing room after class and taught me the quickest ways to get around the theater. With their help, after about a week I knew my way around the theater and felt at home. Their friendliness was so appreciated, they all made me feel so welcome, as I belonged there. I have never met such a warm and caring group of people, it was really such a pleasure to take classes with a company instead of a school. I think I developed a lot while I was there and I feel much stronger now. The experience greatly influenced my dancing and I learned so much by watching all of the beautiful dancers. The Bournonville classes were very interesting and helpful. Although I found it extremely difficult to adapt to the very different style of Bournonvile, I enjoyed the challenge of something new. |
| I loved the beautiful city and I really enjoyed experiencing life in a different country. I found the people to be extremly friendly, always willing to help when I got lost! The atmosphere of the country was so relaxed and peaceful; and the people were so generous and warm, it almost seemed like a fairy-tale! The food was absolutely marvelous and the shops were very nice. I did not have a hard time finding my way around at all because the bus drivers were so helpful. I went to most of the palaces and museums and I loved the Little Mermaid. The apartment where we stayed was very comfortable and in a nice area. |
| All in all, this was a wonderful experience. I have nothing bad to say about my trip at all. I am so grateful to you and to everybody else who made it possible for me to go to Copenhagen. I love the people I met and the company was inspiring. I feel so lucky that I was able to see the company perform and even luckier that I got to see the Queen at one of the performances, what a strikingly beautiful and elegant woman she is. I really love Denmark and The Royal Danish Ballet ad I hope to return someday. Thank you again so much for all of your help and for making this possible, it was an invaluable and precious experience which I will always hold dear in my heart and will never forget. |
With my deepest gratitude,
Eleena Melamed |
