Help Send Hattie to The New School!

Hello Friends!
I am thrilled to say that I have been accepted to a 5 year dual degree program at The New School in NYC in the fall of 2014. I plan to pursue a BFA degree in jazz vocal performance at The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, as well as a BA degree in global studies at the Eugene Lang College-The New School for Liberal Arts. I am unbelievably excited, as this has been a very long term goal for me.

The reality, however, is that I’m still working on financing my education. As I'm sure you know, the crushing cost of a college education these days is a challenge. The New School, with tuition plus fees, is a whopping $60,000 per year. The good news is that The New School has graciously awarded me some scholarships and grants, giving me a financial aid package totaling almost $40,000. I also will be working while in school to help  cover some of my expenses. The tough part is that I still need to raise another $15-20,000 per year!

In order to make my education goals attainable, I have launched this campaign to hopefully raise $75,000 to attend AND finish the 5 year dual degree program.

Some background...
I have been raised by my mom, a single parent, all of my life and she has sacrificed tremendously since the day I was born. My mom was very busy keeping the bills paid and making sure I had all the basics covered. But this remaining college cost is well beyond our means. Equal to the crushing cost of a college education is the crushing burden of student debt, and I hope to graduate with a minimum of debt ...so your donations will really help!

me and jazz
My mom introduced me to the arts as soon as I could sit upright in a theater seat, and thanks to her, I grew up listening to all the great standards and all other forms of jazz. I started studying jazz piano and voice when I was nine, and developed a love of it quickly. By the time I was 15, I released my debut EP and was gigging regularly as a solo artist, and also with my duo and trio. Jazz is my passion and I have been very lucky to study with some truly great jazz musicians and educators over the years.

me and the world
I have multiple passions that go beyond music. I have a love for foreign languages, and I study French, Arabic and German. Thanks to a full merit-based scholarship I received from the National Security Language Initiative for Youth, in the summer of 2013 I participated in a 2 month intensive Arabic language study abroad program in Morocco… check out my Moroccan adventures and camel riding skills here.

I am committed to the belief that we are all global citizens. In 2011 I joined the Seeds of Peace Network, and attended Seeds of Peace International Camp in Otisfield, Maine. ‘Seeds’ work together to address issues of conflict, violence and oppression at home, in our communities, and around the world. We are people of different backgrounds and cultures who are inspired to come together to tackle difficult global issues through facilitated dialogue sessions, and we have formed long-lasting connections. At the core of Seeds of Peace values “is the belief in and commitment to dialogue and informed leadership as the basis for meaningful change and the most effective tools in the pursuit of peace.”
I am proud to be part of a world-wide Seeds of Peace community, and have learned that each and every one of us has a voice and place in global issues and the promotion of peace.

When I entered high school, I began to research dual degree programs that would allow me to pursue a jazz performance major alongside a global studies program. I hope to integrate my passion for languages, study abroad and international relations with my love of jazz. The New School offers the perfect opportunity through the BA/BFA program.

So I hope you will join me on this journey. If you are a jazz enthusiast wanting to support a new generation of jazz artists, or you are interested in international relations and and want to nurture a new crop of global citizens - I hope you will consider making a donation to help me make The New School dual degree program a reality.

Your gift at any level is welcomed and appreciated! You can donate by clicking on the 'donate' button on this page. If you prefer to donate off-line, just click the 'contact' button below and I'll tell where to send a donation. If you give at the $500 and above levels, you can get some sweet jazz music in return! I hope you will also share this campaign with others and encourage them to contribute here too. Your social media networks can work miracles in helping me reach my goal. Thank you!! Thank you!! Thank you!!

Best Regards,
Hattie

“Life is a lot like jazz... it's best when you improvise.”
                                                      - George Gershwin