Clayton’s Fundraising for Graduate Studies in the Netherlands

I’m thrilled to share that I’ve been accepted into the Master’s program in Music and Vocal Performance at Codarts, a Rotterdam-based international university, that trains talented and driven artists to thrive in a dynamic, global field.

As part of this program, I’ll be studying under Marcel Reijans, one of the Netherlands’ leading tenors and a respected colleague of my former teacher, Benjamin Butterfield, who has been a cornerstone in my vocal development. Marcel is excited to support me as I continue refining my technique and building a career in classical music.

This is a dream come true—but it also comes with significant financial costs. The tuition for the program is €10,500 per year (approximately $16,434 CAD annually), and I’ll be enrolled in the program for two years. While I’m not expecting this to be fully covered through donations, I am reaching out to my community for support.

I’ll also be selling my car, parting with many personal items, and my family is helping as much as they can. Every contribution—no matter the amount—will go directly toward making this journey possible and relieving the financial strain so I can fully focus on my studies.

In addition to tuition, I will need to cover living expenses, accommodation, food, travel, and other essentials while living abroad.

In support of this journey, I will also be hosting a fundraising concert at Deep Cove Winery on June 17th. Doors open at 6:00 PM, and the concert will begin at 7:00 PM. I’ll be performing a program of various arias and art songs, alongside my longtime teacher Benjamin Butterfield and the incredible pianist Robert Holliston. Tickets are $35, donations on GoFundMe are welcome, but are by no means necessary to attend — your presence and support are more than enough.

If you’re able to support, share, or simply send some encouragement, I’m truly grateful. Thank you for helping me take this next step toward a life in music and the arts.

With appreciation and gratitude,

Clayton Butler