Help Fund Owne's Cost of Attendance at Aspen Music Festival

Below you will be able to read more about my story and view photos at the end that give an insight to what my life is like, pursuing a career as a professional violist.

Hello, my name is Owne Xayboury. I am currently a sophomore studying viola performance at the Manhattan School of Music, where I am fortunate to be under the guidance of instructors Molly Carr and Daniel Avshalomov.

Regarded as one of the prestigious summer music festivals in the United States, the Aspen Music Festival and School admitted me into this year’s class of 2024, as a student in their orchestral-instrumental program. It is located in Aspen, Colorado. There, I will study with Choong-Jin Chang and Victoria Chiang over the course of 8 weeks, receiving soloistic, chamber, and orchestral training. The summer institution awarded me a scholarship of $4,000 out of a total tuition cost of $12,000.

Aspen Music Festival

Unfortunately, this path of attending is not without its challenges. My mother and I cannot afford to cover the remaining cost of attendance. As a person who values higher education, I do not want to let this lifetime opportunity pass me by. I am seeking assistance from the community not as a display of weakness, but rather in recognition of my inner strength.

Attending Aspen this summer is a significant milestone that I hope to mark in my life, but also in the broader context of my Hmong-Lao community. Being the only Hmong-Lao student at my school, I intend for my presence at the Aspen institution to represent a beacon of hope and inspiration for my community and any other underrepresented groups, showcasing that dreams can be realized through perseverance and determination.

At Aspen, I desire to build connections amongst my peers and faculty, networking myself in this tiny part of the world we live in. I want to hone in on my craft as a violist so that some day, I could join a symphony orchestra, perform in a chamber ensemble, alongside fulfilling a teaching role at a university or conservatory. Aspen has the wonderful opportunity for students to take the sub-auditions for New World Symphony. That is something I aspire to do.

And most importantly, I aim to acquire skills that will not just enhance my abilities as a musician, but also enrich me as an individual and enable me to make meaningful contributions to society.

Any support or contribution made will go towards the cost of tuition, room and board, fees, travel, all of which can be seen in the list above.

On my end, I am currently looking for summer jobs and just applied to 30+ scholarships that will help my cost of attendance. Hope to hear from them soon!

Should I be able to attend with the help of your contribution, whether that be the click of a “share button”, a donation of a penny, or simply reading my story, I will make certain of seizing opportunities that will bring me closer to my goal.

For those who wish to make direct donations, they can be made here:

Zelle: Reach out to my Facebook for a number and email!

Facebook Pay

Paypal: Owne Xayboury

Venmo: @owenxayy17

The goal is to reach $8,000 by the beginning of June!

From the bottom of my heart, I extend immense gratitude for taking out the time of your day to read my story.

Photos & Videos of my Journey

Last summer, I attended Chautauqua Institution where I received one of my life's transformative experiences. I made plenty of new friends, connections, and grew so much as a person and musician. I had the wonderful opportunity to sit principal for our collaboration with the Opera Conservatory, performing operas by Puccini!

Picture of me in the Mahler 5 concert, sitting assistant principal.

A photo of my piano quintet that I am currently performing with! Performing chamber music is one of my favorite types of collaboration because it unlocks creativity, promotes responsibility, and gives you friends that you will remember for a lifetime.

Here is the climax of first movement of Dvorak's Piano Quintet in A major.

A photo of my friend, Sora Hoppo, and I making our Carnegie Hall debut at Weil Recital Hall after winning first prize of the New York Young Virtuoso Music Competition.

Pianist, Sora Hoppo, and I are performing movement two of Rebecca Clarke's sonata for viola and piano, Vivace.

MSM Symphony Orchestra performing Fanfare on Amazing Grace.

Here is my viola solo in the Schumann Piano Quintet!

A video of when I just started viola in 2018. I was 14 years old.

Elfentanz, performed by Sora Hoppo and I!