Her father initially enrolled her in classical piano lessons, but Madonna later persuaded him to let her take ballet lessons. Her ballet teacher, Christopher Flynn, recognized her talent and encouraged her to pursue a career in dance. This led to her enrollment at Rochester Adams High School, where she excelled academically and was a member of the cheerleading squad. After graduating in January 1976, she received a dance scholarship to the University of Michigan and studied at the American Dance Festival in Durham, North Carolina, during the summer.
Move to New York and Early Struggles
In 1978, Madonna made the bold decision to drop out of college and move to New York City to pursue her dreams. She later described this move as the bravest thing she had ever done. With only $35 in her pocket, she faced significant hardships in the bustling metropolis. Madonna initially lived in the Alphabet City neighborhood of the East Village and worked various jobs, including as a hatcheck girl at the Russian Tea Room, an elevator operator at Terrace on the Park, and performing with modern dance troupes.