Keep Courtney in College
Donation protected
Here I am. I made it!
A few months ago I started a degree in Popular Music at Leeds College of Music – one of the most reputable music colleges in Europe – and I couldn’t be happier. I’m learning more every day from being in classes, going to masterclasses, speaking or playing with others, and my own private study. It’s all so very exciting. The college is great because while we’re pushed to think critically, do plenty of reading and research and the more theoretical parts of music (including learning how to manage, market, plan and initiate projects, et cetera), there is also a strong emphasis on performance. I get one on one lessons every week, have been thrown into a band that is required to write and perform original material weekly, and another of my classes takes place in a venue on a fully-equipped stage. The college also has fully-equipped rehearsal rooms and studios, which is useful.
I’m loving my time here and am so proud of myself for having got here – many years ago I realised that if I wanted to further my formal education, I’d need to do it myself. I planned ahead and was fortunate enough to spend over two years working as a soloist on cruise ships, travelling the world, making music, gaining life and musical experience, and saving up with the idea of tertiary education in mind. I put the work in, did the auditions, got the acceptances, and paid off my first year of college in full (that’s £12000 tuition, £5480 accommodation, and enough to survive in the UK).
Of course, now that I’m here, it’s not as easy to build up savings. There’s cost of living, and I spend most of my time in college or doing college-related things at home. As an international student, I am not eligible for student loans – I can’t even get a student account! – so when it comes to affording second and third year I’m going to need some help. Through busking, gigging, saving what I already have, providing private lessons and such I know that I should be able to cover cost of living and accommodation, but without outside help I probably will not be able to return to the college come September 2017.
Nothing is free and I don’t expect your help to be an exception! Beyond my abundant gratitude and being able to follow my journey through tertiary education and beyond, as an investor in my present and future you’ll be able to receive the music that I make.
As I produce new material it will be available online through free platforms -
Bandcamp
YouTube
Facebook
- so that rather than paying for the music itself, if you enjoy what I do or take an interest in me and my education, you can simply sponsor me instead. How much you donate is entirely up to you - pay what you think the song is worth, or sponsor a more specific amount. I’ve calculated what my time here is worth, tuition-wise:
1 year as an international student at Leeds College of Music: £12 000
1 month: £1 000
1 week: £230.77
1 day: £32.88
1 hour: £1.37
This means that just 52 people sponsoring a week of my education each will have covered a whole year! Or 365 people covering a day each. For rounder figures, it would require 600 people donating only £20 each, 240 who chose to donate £50 each, or 1200 donating only £10 each.
It’s simple to see how much easier this is when we work together!
The great thing about having chosen to crowdfund only tuition fees is that it’s a specific amount raised towards one particular expense, so I’m able to be completely transparent as to where the funds go once received. This helps, especially because it’s easy to become sceptical of crowdfunding and worry about misuse. I’ll only withdraw the funds donated once time comes to pay the year fees (July/August 2017) and will be able to provide clear evidence of where the funds have been paid. If you’d like to help but still feel more secure cutting out the middle man and donating directly, contact me through here, through Facebook (Facebook.com/cbvmusic) or through email ([email redacted]) and I’ll provide you with banking details. Any offline donations made can still be listed on here so that figures are kept accurate!
Thank you again for taking an interest in my future!
A little more about me:
I grew up in a small town in South Africa with my mum and younger sister. I started singing in choirs at the age of 7, eventually spending 7 years in the South Cape Children’s Choir (who went on to win title of best children’s choir in South Africa and 2nd best at the World Choir Games in Latvia last year). I played recorder up to a Grade 5 standard before picking up guitar and flute, and played flute in a classical trio for functions. I left the Children’s Choir at 16 to focus on building my solo repertoire.
Throughout high school I was a top-grade student who received honours for culture, academics and service, and had a keen interest in writing, academics and theatre. I played the role of Mary Poppins in my last year. I completed high school in December 2013 and by May 2014 I was on my way to the United States to begin my first contract as a solo vocalist/guitarist with Carnival Cruise Line. I had the time of my life with the company from ship to ship getting to develop my presence and craft, meet amazing people, and travel the world, before moving to Leeds, England in September 2016 to begin my college journey.
I have a few core values and beliefs that I never leave behind. I value honesty and integrity, and try to be as friendly and respectful to everyone I come into contact with as I can – the value of a simple smile is immense. I believe that there is something to learn from every person you meet and in every situation you find yourself and so I’m obsessed with knowledge and learning. Aside from music-making I also love baking, languages, tea, coffee, chocolate, lavender ice cream, cuddling fuzzy animals, and having interesting conversations with strangers till all hours of the morning.
Here's some of what I do:
Thank you!
A few months ago I started a degree in Popular Music at Leeds College of Music – one of the most reputable music colleges in Europe – and I couldn’t be happier. I’m learning more every day from being in classes, going to masterclasses, speaking or playing with others, and my own private study. It’s all so very exciting. The college is great because while we’re pushed to think critically, do plenty of reading and research and the more theoretical parts of music (including learning how to manage, market, plan and initiate projects, et cetera), there is also a strong emphasis on performance. I get one on one lessons every week, have been thrown into a band that is required to write and perform original material weekly, and another of my classes takes place in a venue on a fully-equipped stage. The college also has fully-equipped rehearsal rooms and studios, which is useful.
I’m loving my time here and am so proud of myself for having got here – many years ago I realised that if I wanted to further my formal education, I’d need to do it myself. I planned ahead and was fortunate enough to spend over two years working as a soloist on cruise ships, travelling the world, making music, gaining life and musical experience, and saving up with the idea of tertiary education in mind. I put the work in, did the auditions, got the acceptances, and paid off my first year of college in full (that’s £12000 tuition, £5480 accommodation, and enough to survive in the UK).
Of course, now that I’m here, it’s not as easy to build up savings. There’s cost of living, and I spend most of my time in college or doing college-related things at home. As an international student, I am not eligible for student loans – I can’t even get a student account! – so when it comes to affording second and third year I’m going to need some help. Through busking, gigging, saving what I already have, providing private lessons and such I know that I should be able to cover cost of living and accommodation, but without outside help I probably will not be able to return to the college come September 2017.
Nothing is free and I don’t expect your help to be an exception! Beyond my abundant gratitude and being able to follow my journey through tertiary education and beyond, as an investor in my present and future you’ll be able to receive the music that I make.
As I produce new material it will be available online through free platforms -
Bandcamp
YouTube
- so that rather than paying for the music itself, if you enjoy what I do or take an interest in me and my education, you can simply sponsor me instead. How much you donate is entirely up to you - pay what you think the song is worth, or sponsor a more specific amount. I’ve calculated what my time here is worth, tuition-wise:
1 year as an international student at Leeds College of Music: £12 000
1 month: £1 000
1 week: £230.77
1 day: £32.88
1 hour: £1.37
This means that just 52 people sponsoring a week of my education each will have covered a whole year! Or 365 people covering a day each. For rounder figures, it would require 600 people donating only £20 each, 240 who chose to donate £50 each, or 1200 donating only £10 each.
It’s simple to see how much easier this is when we work together!
The great thing about having chosen to crowdfund only tuition fees is that it’s a specific amount raised towards one particular expense, so I’m able to be completely transparent as to where the funds go once received. This helps, especially because it’s easy to become sceptical of crowdfunding and worry about misuse. I’ll only withdraw the funds donated once time comes to pay the year fees (July/August 2017) and will be able to provide clear evidence of where the funds have been paid. If you’d like to help but still feel more secure cutting out the middle man and donating directly, contact me through here, through Facebook (Facebook.com/cbvmusic) or through email ([email redacted]) and I’ll provide you with banking details. Any offline donations made can still be listed on here so that figures are kept accurate!
Thank you again for taking an interest in my future!
A little more about me:
I grew up in a small town in South Africa with my mum and younger sister. I started singing in choirs at the age of 7, eventually spending 7 years in the South Cape Children’s Choir (who went on to win title of best children’s choir in South Africa and 2nd best at the World Choir Games in Latvia last year). I played recorder up to a Grade 5 standard before picking up guitar and flute, and played flute in a classical trio for functions. I left the Children’s Choir at 16 to focus on building my solo repertoire.
Throughout high school I was a top-grade student who received honours for culture, academics and service, and had a keen interest in writing, academics and theatre. I played the role of Mary Poppins in my last year. I completed high school in December 2013 and by May 2014 I was on my way to the United States to begin my first contract as a solo vocalist/guitarist with Carnival Cruise Line. I had the time of my life with the company from ship to ship getting to develop my presence and craft, meet amazing people, and travel the world, before moving to Leeds, England in September 2016 to begin my college journey.
I have a few core values and beliefs that I never leave behind. I value honesty and integrity, and try to be as friendly and respectful to everyone I come into contact with as I can – the value of a simple smile is immense. I believe that there is something to learn from every person you meet and in every situation you find yourself and so I’m obsessed with knowledge and learning. Aside from music-making I also love baking, languages, tea, coffee, chocolate, lavender ice cream, cuddling fuzzy animals, and having interesting conversations with strangers till all hours of the morning.
Here's some of what I do:
Thank you!
Organizer
Courtney Visser
Organizer