COMMUNITY
Local 16-year-old awarded prestigious dance award
Von Kronberg, 16, has been selected to be the second-ever recipient of the Jock Soto Scholarship
An sa国际传媒官网网页入口 native has been awarded a $2,500 scholarship from the sa国际传媒官网网页入口-based International Museum of Dance.
Von Kronberg, 16, has been selected as the second recipient of the IMOD Jock Soto Scholarship, which honors dancers who pursue their craft with resilience, artistry and dedication.
The award is named for New Mexico dancer Jock Soto, who served as a principal dancer with the New York City Ballet for more than 24 years. The scholarship is intended to help offset the cost of dance training.
"I'm truly beyond thankful and grateful to receive this scholarship because I never imagined I would," Von said.
Von received a full scholarship to the Louisville Ballet summer program at age 14. The following summer, he earned a full scholarship to attend the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. This summer, he will train at the Harid Conservatory in Boca Raton, Florida.
Von began dancing at age 4 at Dance Theatre Southwest, where he studied under Patricia Dickinson.
"I knew his aunt, and she told me, 'I have this nephew who just won't stop dancing,'" Dickinson said. "I said, 'Well, bring him over to me.'"
Von attends the New Mexico School for the Arts in Santa Fe.
"He's turned into this brilliant, beautiful dancer," Dickinson said.
Von credited the people who have supported him throughout his journey.
"If it wasn't for Patricia and all the other teachers who have put their trust in me and helped me through difficult times over the years, I wouldn't be where I am today," he said.
"I feel like I have to dance. I can't imagine not dancing," Von said.
Isabella Campbell is an intern with the New Mexico Local News Fellowships and Internships Program, which places emerging journalists in newsrooms across New Mexico. Learn more at . She can be reached at icampbell@abqjournal.com
