Hi, my name is Paulina, and I started this GoFundMe for my son Chris who aspires to be a professional musician/drummer one day. Ever since he was a young boy, Chris found ways to engrave music into his daily life. He began playing drums and guitar and exploring different kinds of music. As time went on, he stopped playing the guitar and kept his mind on the drums. When he was in the 5th grade, he joined the band and began to play the saxophone. Although he was very good at it, he began to lose interest in the saxophone and dove deeper into drumming once he was introduced to the high school's drumline when he was only in the eighth grade. Since then, his skills have progressed and led him to become the musician/drummer that he is today.

In addition to being in the high school's drumline, he is also the jazz band's drum set player and plays the drum set for the musicals that the high school puts out every year. When he was a freshman, he was given the wonderful opportunity to study at NYU for the Broadway Percussion Seminar. He stayed in New York for 5 days and studied with some of the best percussionists in the country. During his sophomore year, he focused on his classical percussion skills with his band director and eventually auditioned for the All-South Jersey Band on percussion. He also started to work more on his skills as a drum set player with the choir director who is a gospel drummer, and his jazz band director who coincidentally studied at Berklee College of Music. He also auditioned for the All-Region Jazz Band on drum set.

As well as being involved with drumming, he joined the orchestra and began playing the upright bass. He goes to the schools to help out with both the orchestra and band whether it is on drums or bass. In February of 2023, Chris was recognized by his high school's Tri-M Honor Music Society for his contributions to the music department in the district. Near the end of his sophomore year, he began craving general jazz knowledge which led him to enroll in the Jazz Camp at Rowan University. He studied with some of Delaware Valley's finest jazz educators. Ever since Chris went into high school, he’s dreamed of studying at Berklee College of Music, after coming back from Rowan his desire has only grown and become stronger and can’t wait to showcase his skills throughout his junior year.

As a part of achieving his dream, he strives to be a part of Berklee’s Aspire: Five Week Music Performance Intensive Program this upcoming summer. It is meant to be a replica of an undergraduate experience at Berklee College of Music. Throughout this year, Chris has worked very hard in order to perfect his craft and will continue to take every step needed in order to reach his goal. The main thing holding Chris back is finances.

Travel to Boston: Unknown.

Tuition: $5,430.

Housing: $3,720

Living Expenses for 5 weeks: $800.

Total: $10,000.

Every dollar donated will go directly to my son for his dream of studying at Berklee College of Music. If you are unable to donate it would be greatly appreciated if you could share this story.

Thank you so much for your kindness and generosity,

Paulina.