Green Mountain Music Funds
Donation protected
My name is Hannah Riley. I am a junior studying Music Education at the University of South Carolina- Columbia.
I am a cellist.
I first heard the cello's deep, rich sound at the end of my 9th grade summer.
I was starting 10th grade that year and, as a member of the band's trumpet section since 6th grade, I knew my band director also taught a string ensemble. I emailed him and asked to borrow a school cello for the rest of the summer. I taught myself how to play from the internet and several books and then I joined the string ensemble. I had no idea what I was doing. I struggled endlessly. After a year, hours with flashcards and an immeasurable number of tears, I auditioned for the Furman University summer orchestra camp and made it into the highest level orchestra. Determined to catch up with my peers (and still working on it) I have found my way here, to USC, studying with the wonderful Dr. Robert Jesselson.
So, now that you know about me, let me tell you why I am humbly asking for 4,200 dollars. All my life I have been playing catch-up. I wasn't born with a cello between my legs as is seemingly the case for so many. As I approach a point where I finally feel like I can keep my head above water, I have come across a wonderul opportunity to push myself that extra mile.
The Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival is hosted in Burlington, Vermont every summer for about a month between June and July. My professor, Dr. Jesselson, is one of the cello professors who offers lessons to students every week during the festival. With hours of individual practice time every day, opportunities to play in chamber groups (i.e. trio, quartet, etc.), receive coachings and attend masterclasses by fabulous musicians from around the world, and the chance to create lifelong friends, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me as a cellist and as a musician.
The total cost of the festival is $4,180. This includes room and board, lessons, masterclasses, food, and performances for a month.
Here is a link to learn more about the festival!
I have surrounded myself with music all my life. There is so much music in my head and so much passion in my heart. I believe that music connects everyone. I want to be able to make a room full of people who might not even speak the same language feel the same emotions. With the extra push and all of the wonderful experiences I will get from this festival, I know I will finally have the skills I need to be able to play beautifully from my heart and truly move others.
I am not the person to ask others for money, but I will do anything to get myself to Green Mountain. No amount of words or hugs or cookies will ever be enough to thank those of you who help me reach this goal. Thank you so much for reading this!
“Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray.”
-Rumi
I am a cellist.
I first heard the cello's deep, rich sound at the end of my 9th grade summer.
I was starting 10th grade that year and, as a member of the band's trumpet section since 6th grade, I knew my band director also taught a string ensemble. I emailed him and asked to borrow a school cello for the rest of the summer. I taught myself how to play from the internet and several books and then I joined the string ensemble. I had no idea what I was doing. I struggled endlessly. After a year, hours with flashcards and an immeasurable number of tears, I auditioned for the Furman University summer orchestra camp and made it into the highest level orchestra. Determined to catch up with my peers (and still working on it) I have found my way here, to USC, studying with the wonderful Dr. Robert Jesselson.
So, now that you know about me, let me tell you why I am humbly asking for 4,200 dollars. All my life I have been playing catch-up. I wasn't born with a cello between my legs as is seemingly the case for so many. As I approach a point where I finally feel like I can keep my head above water, I have come across a wonderul opportunity to push myself that extra mile.
The Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival is hosted in Burlington, Vermont every summer for about a month between June and July. My professor, Dr. Jesselson, is one of the cello professors who offers lessons to students every week during the festival. With hours of individual practice time every day, opportunities to play in chamber groups (i.e. trio, quartet, etc.), receive coachings and attend masterclasses by fabulous musicians from around the world, and the chance to create lifelong friends, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me as a cellist and as a musician.
The total cost of the festival is $4,180. This includes room and board, lessons, masterclasses, food, and performances for a month.
Here is a link to learn more about the festival!
I have surrounded myself with music all my life. There is so much music in my head and so much passion in my heart. I believe that music connects everyone. I want to be able to make a room full of people who might not even speak the same language feel the same emotions. With the extra push and all of the wonderful experiences I will get from this festival, I know I will finally have the skills I need to be able to play beautifully from my heart and truly move others.
I am not the person to ask others for money, but I will do anything to get myself to Green Mountain. No amount of words or hugs or cookies will ever be enough to thank those of you who help me reach this goal. Thank you so much for reading this!
“Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray.”
-Rumi
Organizer
Hannah Elizabeth Riley
Organizer
Columbia, SC