Get Ee Ann to Cambridge University

Hello everyone!

My name is Ee Ann, and I come from Malaysia. After going through a rigorous interview process at the University of Cambridge, I have been so delighted to have gained an offer on the Postgraduate Certificate of Music Education, commencing on the 7th September 2020. This course will lead me to achieve the Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), which will then open the doors for me to share my passion to a wider public by being able to teach music in British curriculum-based secondary schools, and I am very excited about it.

Getting into Cambridge is one thing; however, I am not eligible for any Cambridge University bursaries despite scoring a CGPA of 4.0, as the postgraduate course that I am attending to is not research-based.  Furthermore, I am also not eligible for the Department of Education’s £9000 bursary as I am an international student. 

Though my family is able to partially support my studies, I am still trying my best to reduce their financial burden and to sort the rest of the costs. Hence,  I've started many initiatives to fund my studies, and this fundraising campaign is just one of them. Meanwhile, I have contacted some education groups to create partnerships. Finally, I will also be organising recitals in Dublin and Malaysia to collect funds.

The estimated cost for a year of education at Cambridge is approximately £29,220 (Tuition Fees)

Flying to beautiful places in the world regularly for free may be a dream for many people. However, during my 5-year career as a cabin crew member, there was never a single trip I flew without looking forward to playing the musical instruments I love, even if that meant I had to rent a piano studio. No one would know that it took me 7 attempts to pass the rigorous selection process to join Singapore Airlines as a cabin crew member. It was this determination, perseverance and grit that taught me how to stand up and start again in the progressive pitfalls. I enjoyed travelling, and I never thought I would leave the airlines. However, everything changed when I realised my persistence in practising my instruments is the true call of my heart; my passion for music. Hence, I decided to turn towards my passion for music in July 2017.

Little did I know that the course of my life was about to change after receiving an Entrance Partial Scholarship to pursue a Diploma in Music Teaching and Performance at the Royal Irish Academy of Music. Under the tutelage of Dr. Hugh Tinney on the piano, I was awarded the diploma in June 2018. I've utilised all my savings by paying the rest of the tuition fees and first year's living costs, whilst working part time teaching music to a small growing pool of students.

Currently, I am a final year undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor of Music (Hons) with a 100% Global Excellence Full Scholarship at the University College Dublin, whilst studying the piano with Prof. Colma Brioscú at the RIAM. On top of the scholarship award, I teach music 4 days a week to cover my living costs.

As a multi-instrumentalist, I also performed Mozart Flute’s Concerto in G Major as part of my final recital. In addition to playing the flute, I also play the trumpet in UCD Symphony Orchestra. My recent performances with the orchestra include the Beatles Bootleg showcase and Tchaikovsky Symphony No.6 “Pathétique”. As a soloist, I performed the 2nd movement of Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto with the Kodaly Society of Ireland’s chamber orchestra in July 2019.

There is always strength in numbers. If you can support me in achieving my dream, I will never be able to thank you enough for your generosity and kindness.

If you would like to be a named sponsor for my studies, please click on the *contact* button to send me an email or donate any amount you wish to spare here. I really appreciate everyone who has supported me from the beginning of my musical journey.

My greatest ambition in the future is to set up a campaign, “All for Music, Music for All” targeted to provide free music education to underprivileged children.

Kindest wishes,
Ee Ann

P.S. Special thanks to my classmate Aoife Murphy and Kevin O’Sullivan for preparing me for the interview.