Dara Holmes first came to The Wilmington School of Ballet on a bus from Smart Start in a summer outreach program. As a single mother living in the projects, Cynthia Kelly, only prayed and hoped that she could ever give her daughter the chance to fulfill her dreams of being a ballerina.

On that fateful day, Dara began her journey from the inner city to the Kennedy Center. No one could predict the hardships along the way. When Dara was 12 years old, she lost her mother in a tragic car accident. Despite being without her greatest supporter, Dara miraculously found the grit and determination to give a thousand percent to training.

Dara is now a member of the world renowned Joffrey Ballet and has achieved everything her mother could only dream about. Dara is teaming up with her hometown ballet school to offer opportunities and inspiration to local underprivileged youth.

On June 20th, Dara will return to Wilmington NC to ignite dreams at the first "Dara Holmes Scholarship Audition". The Wilmington School of Ballet is offering up to 10,000 in scholarships and Dara is travelling home to teach children that they can achieve the impossible.

Dara's story is a shining example of how a small business and a devoted parent can make a big difference. One small studio offered scholarships to inner city kids. One single mother made the effort to get her daughter to all the classes and practices. One world class dancer now returns to give many new dreams!!!