At the Kelowna Actors Studio, students dream of becoming artists living in the Big Apple.

And they乌鸦传媒檙e making their dreams a reality by fundraising for a trip to New York, planning to attend workshops and delve into the experience.

One student is particularly interested in sampling the Big Apple.

Celeste Catena is graduating from the actors studio and was accepted into the Bachelor of Music Theatre Performance program at Sheridan College in Ontario at the end of March.

The 17-year-old says it乌鸦传媒檚 been a dream of hers since she was young to visit New York, and attends the actor乌鸦传媒檚 studio while studying part-time at Okanagan Mission Secondary.

乌鸦传媒淚t乌鸦传媒檚 all about being in the atmosphere of New York. For a lot of us it乌鸦传媒檚 where we want to end up and for me my end goal is to be a performer so it乌鸦传媒檚 something to wrap up the year and give us the incentive and motivation that we need,乌鸦传媒� she said. 乌鸦传媒淭heatre乌鸦传媒檚 been a huge part of my childhood, going to New York is such a dream of mine, I乌鸦传媒檓 really looking forward to that. Just having the experience and to work with professionals and see where I might end up one day is the push I need.乌鸦传媒�

Catena started dancing in Kelowna at Reflections Dance Studio before she injured her leg.

She saw the silver lining to the event, however, when she found her singing voice. Singing turned to acting and since joining the studio a year ago she乌鸦传媒檚 been learning as much as she can.

The self-proclaimed perfectionist says her struggle lies with acting, as she continues to gain confidence and overcome her own worst critic, herself.

乌鸦传媒淚乌鸦传媒檝e definitely grown a lot this year,乌鸦传媒� she said, adding studio artistic director Randy Leslie has helped her overcome her challenges.

乌鸦传媒淪he乌鸦传媒檚 an amazing kid, she was picked out of 100 students,乌鸦传媒� said Leslie.

As for the trip to New York, 乌鸦传媒淚t really is about the educational component,乌鸦传媒� said Leslie adding students will attend workshops with professionals to increase their abilities.

The students have been fundraising since September, so 乌鸦传媒渢his is kind of like the last push for us,乌鸦传媒� he said.

The trip will cost the 13 students, along with staff and chaperones around $35,000.

In the next few months, the studio will be holding fundraisers and performances in order to meet their goal.

Their next studio performance Spring Awakening will be held from May 11 to 13. Tickets can be purchased online through the .

, on June 13, gives audiences another chance to help fundraiser with a silent auction.

乌鸦传媒淲e乌鸦传媒檙e hoping to have a sold-out show,乌鸦传媒� said Catena.

The public can also help fundraiser through a website called .

Purchasing gift cards through the website allows the actor乌鸦传媒檚 studio to receive a percentage of the purchase. The purchaser does not lose money by purchasing gift cards. To help fundraise visit www.fundscrip.com/Sign-Up.aspx?IID=KAUNBP.