Send Natalie to New York!

Hi!  My name is Natalie Dees.  I'm finishing up my 8th grade year at Cheney Middle School in Cheney, WA.  For as long as I can remember, I've loved music and loved singing.  My mom would say that I never stop singing.   I can't imagine life without a song running through every moment! 

This year, my choir director let me know of an opportunity that would allow me to explore growth in my singing ability and experience a higher level of music outside of the four walls of my school.  It was an opportunity to audition for an honors performance choir that would come together in New York, this summer, and work together under the direction of some pretty amazing choral conductors and arrangers.  This choir would be made of others like me - whose passion in life is singing, and who want to keep pursuing music in our future.  All the choir members come from all over the U.S. and even from some countries outside of the U.S.  Students in this choir would then perform in Carnegie Hall after a week of working together. 

I was a little intimidated when Ms. Classen first told me about this chance, because I've never really had professional singing lessons, and this would require an application and an audition.  I love music - its every bit a part of me, but this is a whole new level.  It was definitely outside of my comfort zone and my previous experience.  But I wanted this chance - I knew it would probably change my life - so I did it.  I learned a classical piece, recorded an audition, and submitted it to the Honors Performance Series.  I had no idea if I would make it, but I knew that it was worth the try.  And you can guess it..... I made it!  Out of 558 applicants from all over the U.S., I was chosen to be a part of the Honors Performance Series Carnegie Hall Middle School Choir.  I'm going to NEW YORK!!!

I am so excited for this trip.  These next few months can't go fast enough.  My biggest hurdle is raising the money.  Just for participation, I need $1800.  That doesn't include travel.  My mom also needs to come with me, because of some health concerns and a special diet I'm on, so we need to also raise money for her trip.  We estimate that our costs, with travel, participation, food, and lodging will be at least $4000.   I've never had "alot" and life has had its bumps in the road with my health issues (I was diagnosed with PKU as an infant, which essentially means I can't process food the way everyone else does).  The cost of my medical bills alone has always held us back a little.  But I'm a fighter, and I am pursuing my dreams!  Whether its the scary part of auditioning, health stuff, or finances, I won't let anything hold me back.  

Thank you for considering a donation to my trip.  This will provide me with a life changing experience, and may possibly help light my future path into a career in music.  I am grateful and eagerly look foward to sharing with each of you how it goes and what I've learned.  

Click to here to see the details of my trip!