Emmeline's AMA Liberty Tour

Hi, my name is Emmeline Drake, and I am a harp student who has been invited to be a part of the American Music Abroad Liberty Tour! There are three ensembles (band, orchestra, and chorus) we will tour Austria, Slovenia, Croatia and Italy. This opportunity of a lifetime has been offered to only 150 students per ensemble. The tour is summer 2016 and I am honored to be included as they have not taken a harp student in 25+ years.

I have been taking harp lessons since 2009 and my amazing teacher is the harpist for the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. I play in a symphonic orchestra at my high school. I have played in the ECMA All-County Band and will be playing in the Area All-State full orchestra this November. I am also in my second season as a member of the Southtown's Youth Orchestra. I would not have this opportunity without my harp teacher or a recommendation from my high school orchestra director and I am extremely grateful to them.

It would mean a lot to me to go and to also be the first harp student to go in so many years, this honor comes with the extra cost of renting a harp overseas for me to participate. I currently have a part time job and am hoping to perform for a donation to help pay for the trip. I appreciate any encouragement and support you can offer, and for every donation I receive I will donate my time and play my harp at a local nursing homes, and other charitable venues.

I would love it if you would share the link for my fundraising page with others who may be interested in furthering the arts because music is a universal language.

Thank You for reading my story, and for your support!
Sincerely,
Emmeline