Ciarán's Composer Dream
I have been a musician since I was a fetus. I grew up in a very musical family and have performed professionally since I was still in elementary school. I primarily took lessons from my father and did concerts with my sister, Fiona. 
In the year 2000, I formed a band with my sister called The Cottars, based in beautiful Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada. We had some great experiences together and performed from Toyko's Triphony Hall to the world-famous Carnegie Hall in New York City. We won 2 East Coast Music Awards, 2 Music Industry of Nova Scotia Awards, The Tic Butler Memorial Award, and were nominated for a Gemini Award. We released 4 albums and received heart-warming reviews all over. It was all extremely humbling (he says after listing a bunch of awards!). While still in junior high, I was given a private tour of Berklee College of Music in Boston and my life was given new direction and purpose. I knew that someday I wanted to study at that renowned institution.
After 15 years of performing, the band slowed down considerably and I, not wanting to stay idle, began to pursue a life's ambition of becoming a composer. Sadly, money was always tight, and working two jobs just wasn't cutting it. I composed in my spare time and took a few music courses when I could, but I knew that being a professional composer like my heroes John Williams and Hans Zimmer would require an education beyond my means.
Here is a piece I wrote and performed with my limited software for a dear, departed friend in January, 2017.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIypk2kKT5I
My goal of going to Berklee and becoming a film composer is what drives me to be creative. With some funding, I would be able to put this goal in motion, which still makes me shake with excitement!
To get through my first year my expenses would be as follows (rounding up to nearest hundred without tax or American conversion):
I would need these funds by August 31st, 2017 in order to begin in September.
There are few things more hard to swallow than asking people for money, but the kindness of strangers has never ceased to amaze me.
If you've ever heard my/my band's music or just believe that this is a cause worth donating to, I would be eternally grateful if you would support me.
EVERY contribution matters.
Thank you for hearing me out,
Ciarán MacGillivray