With Gratitude

When I look at what the E. John Busser Ballet Scholarship has become, I am reminded that none of this was built by one person. It grew from the generosity, encouragement, friendship, talent, and belief of many people who understood what we were trying to accomplish and helped us take those important first steps.

My Mother, Lillian Busser

I want to begin by acknowledging my mother, Lillian Busser, whose influence is woven into everything this scholarship represents.

My mother was fundamental in fostering my love for the arts and, especially, my love for ballet. She gave me an appreciation for beauty, creativity, discipline, and artistic expression that has remained with me throughout my life. Without her influence and encouragement, my own connection to ballet—and ultimately the inspiration behind this scholarship—would not have been the same.

Her impact on my life continues through this program and through every young dancer we are fortunate enough to support.

Josh Busser

From the very beginning, Josh Busser, our Secretary/Treasurer, has been beside me helping to turn an idea into something real and lasting.

Josh helped build the foundation of this organization—giving his time, judgment, energy, and commitment during the years when there was no roadmap to follow. His dedication has been an important part of the scholarship’s stability and longevity, and I am deeply grateful for everything he has done, and continues to do, for our dancers and our mission.

Robin Fiddes

I also want to recognize Robin Fiddes, our Executive Director, whose leadership has transformed the reach and possibilities of this program.

What began as a scholarship serving dancers in the Cleveland area has grown under Robin’s leadership into a program supporting talented young dancers around the world. Her commitment to our mission, her belief in these dancers, and her determination to continually expand what we can offer them have helped take this organization farther than I could have imagined in its earliest days.

Seeing dancers from communities around the world benefit from something that began here in Cleveland is extraordinarily meaningful to me, and Robin has been instrumental in making that possible.

Continuing Partners and Friends

Two people who helped us during our formative years remain valued and active members of the scholarship community today.

Kristin Duprey, who contributed her talents through the embroidery of our shirts and jackets.

Lorelei Greifenstein of Edgewood Creative helped give the scholarship its visual identity through her beautiful logo design and has continued to offer her friendship, creativity, encouragement, and support throughout our journey.

We are fortunate that both remain part of what we are building today.

Remembering Our Early Supporters

Every organization has a group of people who believe in it before anyone can know what it might someday become. In the early years of the E. John Busser Ballet Scholarship, we were fortunate to have many such people.

I want to recognize Edith Antl, my good friend at Art Etc. Framing; Debbie Boardman, a wonderful friend and gifted photographer; Erin Cameron, for her unwavering support and friendship; Amy Dreher, whose work and example at the World Trade Center Memorial showed me the importance of getting involved and making a difference; Karen Lyn Gail has given us years of friendship, help, encouragement, and steadfast support; and Marie Johansson, for her enduring friendship and support.

My gratitude also goes to Courtney Laves-Mearini and the staff of Cleveland City Dance for their help and encouragement; Gay, Bill, and Alicia Monica for their support and belief in what we were doing; and Dave and Donna Yohe and their talented daughter, Diana, for being part of those important early years.

And I remain grateful to Susan, Leslie, and Roseann Miller, three remarkable women who each enriched my life in different ways—Susan through the simple gift of her presence and friendship; Leslie through sharing with me some of the most extraordinary ballet I have ever experienced; and Roseann, who gave me a different perspective from which to look at life.

These individuals contributed in different ways, but together they gave this scholarship something essential: a foundation upon which we could build. Their friendship, encouragement, creativity, professional talents, and willingness to help allowed a young organization to find its footing and begin to grow.

Today, the E. John Busser Ballet Scholarship reaches far beyond where we started. Yet no matter how far our dancers come from or how much this program grows, we will always remember the people who believed in its possibilities during those earliest years.

To my mother, Lillian; to Josh and Robin; to Karen and Lorelei; and to all of the friends and supporters who helped us along the way: thank you.

Most importantly, thank you for helping us create opportunities for young dancers to pursue an art form that has brought so much beauty and meaning to my own life.

— E. John Busser
Founder, E. John Busser Ballet Scholarship

The E. John Busser Scholarship is grateful for our Corporate Sponsors, who help provide our recipients with an amazing array of training tools as they continue their training. Many thanks go to them for their continued support, even in the toughest of times.