A Journey of Determination

Fernanda Castillo's path to founding BFTWI is a testament to perseverance. Born to a single mother and the granddaughter of campesinos who worked the land to support their family, Castillo's ballet journey began in humble circumstances. At age nine, she started taking classes in a military barracks—a room with rustic floors, no mirrors, no barres, and no proper ballet equipment. Yet, even in these modest conditions, her passion for dance flourished.

Determined to pursue her dreams, Castillo and her mother made the bold decision to relocate to Guatemala City. Every day, they would travel nearly two hours to reach the prestigious Marcelle Bonge De Devaux ballet school in the city's most affluent area. Despite financial constraints and the challenges of navigating multiple public buses, they persevered.

Her dedication paid off. By age 16, Castillo had mastered pointe technique and was well-versed in the Vaganova method. Her talent caught the attention of Miss Zhanna Dubrovskaya, who offered her training opportunities in Florida. Through loans and her mother's tireless work, Castillo continued her training in the United States, eventually performing at prestigious venues including the Vivat Ballet! Festival in St. Petersburg, Russia, A&A Ballet in Chicago, and the Russian Masters Ballet in Alicante, Spain.

Turning Challenge into Opportunity

Castillo teaching children in the highlands of Guatemala in 2021. (Photo courtesy: Letran Fotografía)

When the pandemic and rising costs forced Castillo to stop dancing in 2020, she channeled her passion in a new direction. She began volunteering with Transformacion Ballet NGO in Guatemala, providing online ballet classes to children from low-income backgrounds. This experience revealed the transformative power of dance education in underprivileged communities.

The Birth of Ballet for the World Initiative

In 2022, while participating in the Quanta-Honors program at Daytona State College, Castillo found her true calling. After teaching ballet classes at the Hope Place emergency shelter, she recognized the urgent need for alternative educational programs in vulnerable communities. With guidance from her mentor, Hosanna Folsmbee, BFTWI took its first steps.

The initiative quickly gained support from the local community. The Rotary Club of Downtown Ormond Beach provided a crucial "Dance for Wellness" grant of $5,500 for equipment and uniforms. Additional funding came through United Way's Social Innovation Fund, contributing $2,000 to sustain the program.

Impact and Future Vision

Castillo at Hope Place (photo courtesy: Isabella Pitts)

Today, BFTWI has provided free fine arts education to over 75 children in Volusia County, Florida. Castillo has dedicated more than 200 volunteer hours to teaching, seeking scholarships, and building partnerships with organizations including Quanta-Honors College, Halifax Urban Ministries, Brown Girls Do Ballet, and the Bonner Program at Stetson University.

Despite not being an American citizen, Castillo has made it her mission to create high-quality out-of-school programs for children of all backgrounds, both in the United States and, eventually, in her native Guatemala. Her vision extends beyond dance, aiming to provide transformative educational opportunities that can change lives just as ballet changed hers.

As BFTWI continues to grow, it stands as a testament to the power of perseverance, the importance of accessible arts education, and the impact one person's dream can have on an entire community. In Castillo's words, the initiative works "For the Children. For the Arts. For the World."