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Eddie is a 19-year old cellist who has overcome great hardship to enroll in the music program at George Mason University. Eddie was raised by a single mother, who abused and neglected him. Although he experienced poverty, personal tragedy, and homelessness, he taught himself to play the cello. Music has become his hope and his salvation. To hear him play is to discover his soul searching for a voice through sound. With the help of many kind and generous people who recognized his talent, Eddie has received grants and scholarships to cover his tuition and housing. But he desperately needs funding for food, clothing, school supplies, and health insurance.
Eddie’s father left his family when Eddie was 6 years old, leaving Eddie’s mother to raise Eddie, his sister, and their four half-siblings. The family moved nearly every year, sometimes living in homeless shelters and government housing. Eddie’s mother was often abusive and never supported Eddie’s cello playing. She also kept any money his father sent to support Eddie’s music, so he had to rely on help from his teachers. Days before Eddie’s high school graduation, his older brother was shot and killed.
Eddie was determined to be the first person in his family to go to a university. When one of his professors asked him why he chose music, he said, “I’ve seen what unhappiness can do to a person. Music makes me happy.” But Eddie’s mother disapproved of his aspirations. She kicked him out, accusing him of wanting to be “white” and being ashamed of being “black.” During the next year, Eddie tried to attend community colleges and to apply to George Mason University, but he hit roadblocks because he simply did not have enough money. With nowhere to go, Eddie slept in a parking lot until friends picked him up and took him to live with his high school orchestra teacher.
It is a tremendous achievement that Eddie is now a performance major at George Mason University. But the road ahead is difficult. He is a self-taught cellist trying to survive in the competitive field of music. And without funding to manage his basic needs, Eddie cannot focus on his studies. His immediate concern is getting health insurance, for he has never seen a dentist. He also needs money to cover the costs of his school supplies, food, and clothing.
Anyone who meets Eddie will be touched by how empathetic and sensitive he is. His story is a testament to the power of music and how it nourishes the human spirit. He will someday be a powerful role model to other children who have experienced adversity, if he can only make it through these next few years. Please listen to him play, and support his dream.
This page is posted by Noah Pan Stier. I am 12 years old and a fellow musician. I heard Eddie's story from my violin teacher, June Huang, who is one of Eddie's music teachers at George Mason. I have been so fortunate in having the support of my family, friends, and teachers in my own musical education. I strongly feel that Eddie deserves a chance to succeed, and I hope that you will join me in helping him.
Eddie’s father left his family when Eddie was 6 years old, leaving Eddie’s mother to raise Eddie, his sister, and their four half-siblings. The family moved nearly every year, sometimes living in homeless shelters and government housing. Eddie’s mother was often abusive and never supported Eddie’s cello playing. She also kept any money his father sent to support Eddie’s music, so he had to rely on help from his teachers. Days before Eddie’s high school graduation, his older brother was shot and killed.
Eddie was determined to be the first person in his family to go to a university. When one of his professors asked him why he chose music, he said, “I’ve seen what unhappiness can do to a person. Music makes me happy.” But Eddie’s mother disapproved of his aspirations. She kicked him out, accusing him of wanting to be “white” and being ashamed of being “black.” During the next year, Eddie tried to attend community colleges and to apply to George Mason University, but he hit roadblocks because he simply did not have enough money. With nowhere to go, Eddie slept in a parking lot until friends picked him up and took him to live with his high school orchestra teacher.
It is a tremendous achievement that Eddie is now a performance major at George Mason University. But the road ahead is difficult. He is a self-taught cellist trying to survive in the competitive field of music. And without funding to manage his basic needs, Eddie cannot focus on his studies. His immediate concern is getting health insurance, for he has never seen a dentist. He also needs money to cover the costs of his school supplies, food, and clothing.
Anyone who meets Eddie will be touched by how empathetic and sensitive he is. His story is a testament to the power of music and how it nourishes the human spirit. He will someday be a powerful role model to other children who have experienced adversity, if he can only make it through these next few years. Please listen to him play, and support his dream.
This page is posted by Noah Pan Stier. I am 12 years old and a fellow musician. I heard Eddie's story from my violin teacher, June Huang, who is one of Eddie's music teachers at George Mason. I have been so fortunate in having the support of my family, friends, and teachers in my own musical education. I strongly feel that Eddie deserves a chance to succeed, and I hope that you will join me in helping him.
Organizer and beneficiary
Noah Pan Stier
Organizer
Washington D.C., DC
Eddie Adams
Beneficiary