We now have the opportunity to honor the memory of a beautiful and talented young woman by opening the way ahead for others who, as she did, love dance and aspire to make it their lifework.

In an effort to memorialize and celebrate Kaia's life, her family and friends have joined with the Carolina Friends School in Chapel Hill, NC, to create the Kaia Parker Dance Endowment. Monies donated to the Endowment will be allocated to deserving dancers from CFS for summer study and special choreography or performance projects. Dancers between the ages of 13 and 21 are eligible to apply for funding.

The first five grants were awarded May 10, 2001. Since that time, we have awarded over 150 grants to students dancing stateside professionally in New York and Baltimore (The American Ballet, Shen Wei, Alvin Ailey, etc.), and internationally in Germany and Spain.

Kaia once wrote: "Dance to me is my saving grace...[it] turned my whole existence around." We hope you will join us in remembering Kaia through your support of the Fund. Donations of any amount are most welcome. Click here to donate online or click here for information about how to apply to the Fund.