Hello, my name is Kasen Sherrard, and I am going into my 4th year of college as a music education major at Stetson University. I am studying the flute and have been playing for about 8 years now. The flute that I currently own and use was bought for me in 10th grade, and while I'm grateful to have one at all, years of being unable to afford regular maintenance before college and my progress as a musician have caught up, and I have unfortunately outgrown it.

To get a flute that suits my needs as a young musician that is planning to transition to teaching and gig work after college will cost around $4,000, something neither I nor my parents can afford. Due to the time-intensive nature of a music education program, I don't have time to hold a job during the school year to allow me to enter a financing plan either.

Additionally, my parents are still working to overcome the setbacks caused by my mother's breast cancer diagnosis in late 2022. She underwent multiple kinds of treatment throughout 2023, keeping her out of work for 8 months. While she is now in remission and doing much better health-wise, she is still undergoing surgeries as a part of her recovery. As a result, I could never ask them to take on the burden of another monthly payment, even for my education.

I have worked for countless hours to get to where I am currently in my journey as a musician and a future educator, and any money raised will go towards the purchase of a new flute that better fits these goals.