FINLAND OR BUST: Help my heavy metal dreams come true!

Hey there! Like a character in a schlocky fantasy novel, I go by many names--you may know me as Adrian, or Mariden, or Traumagician, or any number of other nommes-de-plume. Also like a character in a schlocky fantasy novel, I have been summoned on a quest to a sunless land far across the ocean.

I have been accepted into the Sibelius Academy in Finland!

The Sibelius Academy at UniArts Helsinki is one of the most highly-regarded music schools in the world, consistently ranking in the global top ten. Getting in is as big of a deal as getting into Juilliard. I have been admitted to their brand-new music business program, where I will be researching ways for little-known musicians to increase their listenership in foreign countries, and in so doing forge connections with all the amazing musicians in the undisputed most metal country in the world. (Finland has more metal bands per capita than anywhere else on the planet!)

As a longtime metalhead, this opportunity is a dream come true for me. Finnish music has accounted for about 60% of my favorite listening material since I was 14 years old, and as anybody who's known me can attest, I've been trying to find a way to immigrate there since high school. It was a Finnish band called Nightwish that first made me seriously want to become a musician myself--and many of my most formative bands, including Nightwish, started right at the Sibelius Academy, where I will be studying.

I am beyond thrilled to have the opportunity to, if you’ll pardon my quoting Nightwish lyrics at you, ‘cut the rope and fly to a dream far across the sea.’

However, dreams do not come free! Studying abroad and moving to another continent are both very expensive. Any amount you can donate to help me make this dream into reality is hugely appreciated.