8 minute read
Sharing the Spotlight: Meet Valentina Boltchi & Chloe Kim
Two Preston Hollow Teens Are Spreading Joy Through Rhythm of Hope
In a world where extracurricular activities are often considered a privilege, two Preston Hollow students are working to change that—one dance class at a time. Valentina Boltchi, a rising senior at The Episcopal School of Dallas, and Chloe Kim, also a rising senior at Ursuline Academy, have taken their lifelong passion for dance and turned it into a powerful force for good. Together, they founded Rhythm of Hope, a youth-led nonprofit dedicated to instilling hope and confidence in underserved children through the art of dance.
Valentina and Chloe's love for dance began at The Dallas Conservatory, where they have trained for over a decade in ballet, jazz, contemporary, and acrobatics.
"We met through dance at The Dallas Conservatory when we were around nine," Valentina says. "Ever since then, we've been best friends."
As they advanced in their training, competing in elite dance competitions like the Youth American Grand Prix (YAGP) and the New York City Dance Alliance (NYCDA), the girls discovered a shared passion for mentoring younger dancers, whether helping with solos or stepping in to teach youth classes.
During their freshman year, the idea for a nonprofit began to take shape.
"Chloe and I knew we wanted to start something that would have a lasting impact on our community and help us spread our love for dance to others. After lots of brainstorming sessions and research on the universal benefits of dance, we launched Rhythm of Hope and immediately started reaching out to partner organizations," Valentina says.
Dance transformed Chloe and Valentina in profound ways, giving them not only deep fulfillment and excitement but also skills that enriched their academicand social lives. That early impact became the foundation for their desire to extend the experience to children who might not otherwise have the opportunity.
"My first recital was with The Dallas Conservatory when I was just two,"
Valentina recalls. "I wore a yellow tutu and performed on stage at the McFarlin Auditorium near SMU. I had this teeny little croissant bun sticking out of the back of my head—it looked a little crazy-but I was so excited. Looking back on those photos now, it's wild to see how far I've come."
Valentina also credits her favorite style of dance-Contemporary—as one that allows her the most freedom and expression. "It blends ballet technique with lyrical movement. I love that it gives me the opportunity to tell a story while incorporating different styles."
Chloe keeps it more old school, holding ballet close to her heart. She describes it as a complex blend of strength and grace-"the most beautiful form of movement to ever exist." She loves the way it tells stories through movement, and names The Nutcracker, Giselle, and Swan Lake among her favorites. And, she adds with a smile, "the tutus and pointe shoes make it even more appealing!"
Her first experience performing left a lasting impression. Chloe vividly remembers standing behind the curtains at her first competition at age eight, overwhelmed with nerves—until the moment she stepped on stage. "All of those feelings melted away, and I reached a genuine state of euphoria. Performing immediately became my favorite feeling in the world. It's an intense rush of adrenaline, joy, and pride."
Since its founding, Rhythm of Hope has provided free dance instruction to over 100 children through partnerships with local community centers, including a biweekly program at Wesley Rankin Community Center. The nonprofit also organizes fundraisers and clothing drives to support arts enrichment programs throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
One particularly rewarding experience came from working with a young student who initially struggled with confidence. "When we first met her, she was very shy and hesitant to participate," Chloe recalls. "Over time, we watched her blossom into a confident dancer, jumping to the front of the class with a big smile."
"Our students teach us new things every day," Valentina adds. "They are so fearless. I remember during our Winter Dance Camp at Walnut Hill Leadership Academy, we were teaching saut de chats (leaps) and one student with no prior dance experience volunteered to demonstrate first. She just soared. It was such an inspiring moment."
Another standout moment for Chloe involved her student Josselyn, whose love of dance was winsome. During one class, Josselyn asked to play her favorite song, and as it began, she launched into an impromptu freestyle. Her movements weren't traditional, but they were expressive, graceful, and full of life. "It was a reminder for me that dance isn't just about perfect technique-it's about feeling, freedom, and authentic expression," she recalls.
With six active school chapters across Dallas-including Ursuline Academy, The Episcopal School of Dallas, Bishop Lynch, Hockaday, Parish, and Greenhill-Valentina and Chloe divide responsibilities by leaning into each other's strengths.
"We always attend our classes and programs together to maintain consistency for the kids," Valentina says. "For our Nutcracker fundraiser, Chloe who's more artsy-handles the decorating and crafting while I focus on communication and outreach.
We really try to balance the load and play to what each of us does best."
Running a nonprofit while juggling high school, competitive dance, AP classes, and test prep isn't without its challenges.
"One of the hardest parts is balancing everything," Valentina says.
"We're working with school districts and community leaders while still being students ourselves. But the kids make it all worth it seeing them excited to learn and proud of themselves makes the long days so rewarding."
Valentina and Chloe aren'tslowing down. With a growing volunteer network and ambitious plans for expansion, they envision taking Rhythm of Hope nationwide.
"We want to keep growing our partnerships with schools and community centers," Valentina says. "Our dream is to build new chapters in cities across the country."
Part of that long-term vision includes building up the organization's children's assistance fund to help provide more access to arts enrichment and dance programs for underserved kids.
"Our goal is to make Rhythm of Hope a lasting force for positive change," Chloe adds. "We want to create a future where every child has access to the joy and benefits of dance. Dance is global, and while aspects of it remain the same across countries, it is also a representation of culture and tradition. There are so many countries where dance is far less accessible than in the U.S., and Val and I have become very aware of that.
Though we may not be able to teach classes around the world, we can create partnerships and contribute to support programs abroad."
When asked what she admires most about her co-founder, Valentina lights up. "Chloe's kindness and vibrance. She always meets everyone with a warm smile and a hug. Even after a long day, she's bubbly and positive-it's contagious."
The admiration is mutual. "I admire Val's organization and sense of responsibility," Chloe shares. "She is always on top of everything and remainsone of the most independentand disciplined people I know. Her ability to balance her academic work with her social life is so admirable."
With senior year on the horizon, both girls are starting to think about college and what's next for their nonprofit. Both girls plan to keep it going, even if it looks a little different in college. "We'll likely hand over a lot of the day-to-day teaching to our Dallas student leaders, but we definitely want to stay involved." Valentina shares.
Chloe agrees, "We want to empower as many students as possible to make a difference. Volunteering with Rhythm of Hope is about more than dance it's about lifting up our community. And who knows we might even bring it with us to college and launch chapters there!"
As Valentina and Chloe continue to grow Rhythm of Hope, they remain focused on their mission: using dance to uplift, inspire, and create a future where every child has the opportunity to shine.
And when they need to recharge? Chloe finds her joy in classical grace with "No. 14 Pas de Deux," while Valentina leans into the beats of Bad Bunny's "Tití Me Preguntó." Whether pirouetting to a pas de deux or grooving to reggaetón, these prodigies prove that there's more than one way to dance with purpose.
VALENTINA & CHLOE'S PRESTON HOLLOW FAVES
Don't let the pointe shoes fool you-these girls still run on chai tea lattes and breakfast tacos like true Dallas teens.
VALENTINA:
Mi Cocina- for the best Tex-Mex ever
Taco Joint - for breakfast tacos. Get the sausage, egg, and cheese + the pink lemonade
The Chick-fil-A right by Jesuit - they serve Chicken Minis all day
Salad and Go - so fast and easy, but also delicious Central Market - for studying! Get the iced chai tea latte
CHLOE:
Merit coffee - for studying
Oishii - for crispy rice
Solidcore & Class Studios - for workouts
Princi italia
Eatzis - their sandwiches are my fave
GET INVOLVED:
JOIN THE RHYTHM OF HOPE MOVEMENT
For students eager to volunteer, Rhythm of Hope offers multiple ways to get involved—no dance experience required. Volunteers can join a school chapter, help organize events, participate in drives, and spread awareness. Those with a dance background can even teach classes to children in the program.
Interested students can apply through the volunteer application on the nonprofit's website or reach out via Instagram @rhythmofhope_ for more information.
