Captivated by ballet when she was 3, Ayiana has dedicated her life to becoming a professional ballet dancer ever since. Now 19, she has successfully competed nationally in both ballet and modern dance, and achieved High Honours in one of the toughest ballet exams in the world. This Grant will enable Ayiana to accept a place at the prestigious Joffrey Ballet School in New York. As well as dancing, she also wants to be a role model to inspire other young NZ dancers from diverse backgrounds.