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Help Ana to get education at Berklee

Hi everyone!

I'm raising money here because it is honestly my last chance and option to gather the money for Bostons' Berklee College of Music (USA).
Berklee gave me a high scholarship ($26.000) which is given to rare students. But unfortunately it still does not cover the whole tuition and living expenses. I need additional $22,330 to cover the rest of my tuition and $13.000 for living and other associated costs.
In total, I'm short of $35.330.
Why not take a loan? The loan is sadly not an option because my parent's incomes are so low that the bank didn't approve it. My dad is also in a wheelchair so all the money basically goes for his equipment which he cannot live without. It breaks my heart because I know my parents would do whatever they can to send me to Berklee. But their financial situation and struggle do not allow them to afford such a high tuition and living expenses. My biggest dream is to study at Berklee and get a music business degree at Berklee and I know I have what it takes to study there!
My deadline to pay the tuition is October 15th, 2022. I believe you want to know more so I'm inviting you to read my whole story down below.



My story:

 
I am Ana Šuligoj from Slovenia (Europe)-19 years old. I live in a small town of 3300 population with my mum, dad, and brother. As a child, I was very enthusiastic about music and instruments. My earliest memories of trying to play an "instrumet" were in the kitchen when my mum was cooking lunch. I was 7 or 8 months old. She gave me a saucepan cap and a wooden spoon to play with it. I had so much fun exploring the rhythms and sounds of a lid, and it was the best part of my day. 
 
 
My first wish for Santa was to get a toy piano. Then every Christmas, I asked Santa for another instrument toy (flute, guitar, percussion,
accordion, etc.). "Santa" kindly brought all those instruments under our Christmas tree every year. One of Santa's toy instruments was the accordion. I was 5 or 6 years old when I fell in love with that instrument over the "Nazdravje" (a TV show where various folk bands play only Slovenian folk music). I watched "Nazdravje" every Friday evening with my dad. We danced together while music was playing, and we had a great time. The accordion itself brought me so much joy. The accordion players were always smiling while playing it, so I decided that I wanted to play the accordion no matter what.
 
My parents enrolled me in music middle school when I was 8 years old. I started learning the accordion, and shortly after, I discovered that you could play way more than just folk music with an accordion. In music school, I learned how to play classical music, pop, rock, and even jazz on the accordion. I realized that the accordion has no limits for playing different music styles.
 
At the end of my education at music school, I wanted to organize my concerts with my jazz band. I was 13 years old. It was my first serious project, and I oversaw organizational tasks. I managed to successfully organize and promote my concert to the point where the concert hall sold out. The show was a success; I even got in a few local newspapers. 
 
 
So, after 6 years of studying in music school, I decided to study music in secondary musicschool. I auditioned at the Conservatory of music and ballet in Ljubljana, where I have been continuing my classical education in the accordion class of professor Klemen Leben since now. Through these 4 years of teaching, I have become a critical-minded mini adult trying to make some positive changes in the world. 
 
During those 4 years, I played as a soloist in the best half-amateur chamber orchestra in Slovenia. I was involved in their project BossaNova, where I oversaw getting the music arrangement of Piazzolla's piece. I contacted musicians from Argentina, Lithuania, and Netherland to get the music sheets we successfully performed at a few venues around Slovenia. 
 
 
I also organized a Chamber orchestra for playing tango music. Still, Covid kicked in, and we did not have the chance to accomplish the aim. During Covid, I had the time to think about the world, the society, and how can I contribute something good to this world and society. I was also starting to think about climate change and inequality in society. 
 
Then one day, I got the idea of projects that could better the world. I wish to direct projects where an eclectic live symphony orchestra would play over a movie about a social issue. I want to involve as many different cultures and nations as possible in my orchestra to cover the message of equality, unity, justice, and peace. I also want to create an everlasting impact on the audience with music that would powerfully work together with the picture/movie. I want to develop new projects that nobody has ever seen before. I would help musicians have the most outstanding experience on stage by creating new equipment. 
 
Later, I had a few conversations with my professor, Klemen Leben, about my furtherer musical/accordion educational path. He mentioned that I should pursue a music management path. I had even more tremendous potential in that field and my significant potential for musical organizational events, which he rarely saw in his students. I soon realized the uniqueness of that talent.
 
Then I got in touch with a few Berklee alumni who inspired and convinced me to audition at Berklee College of Music in Boston, USA. I dedicated a lot of time preparing for the audition and interview because I wanted to have the highest chance of getting the scholarship. I auditioned in February via Zoom due to Covid restrictions. In March, I received an email from Berklee that said I was accepted to Berklee College of Music and that I got a scholarship of $23.000. 
 
 
This college is the dreamiest and most perfect school for me because I could continue studying in accordion and studying the Music Business/Management degree. Berklee has an extensive network of people worldwide, which would help get the right people for the strong team for my projects. 
 
To accomplish my projects (symphony orchestra playing live while musically supporting a movie). I will need education at Berklee because only that school can give me the best education in the music management field. The project that I previously mentioned to you is an enormous feat. I will need a massive team to make it a reality. I will need people from the composing/ screen scoring department, people who would play in a symphony orchestra. People from my department- music business, and people who would know Psychology
and Philosophy, which I would need to address and bring the message correctly to the audience, etc.
 
The only problem is that I cannot afford Berklee. The economic standard in Slovenia is much lower than in the USA. The average Slovenian salary is $23087 per year (gross). My mom's and dad's salary are below average. My dad only works part-time (20h per week) due to his disability and being in a wheelchair. So far, I have managed to get $1300. Berklee also raised my scholarship for
$3000 due to my financial problems. But sadly, I am still short of $22.330 to cover the tuition for one academic year. Then an additional $13.000 for livingexpenses and school-related costs such as fees, books, etc. So, in total, I am short of $35.330.
 
Suppose I can get the Music Business/Management degree at Berklee. In that case, I can make some positive changes in the music industry. I can direct projects that would benefit the music industry and society, educate people on alarming topics through music, and invent equipment for better stage experience for musicians. I will be able to raise the Slovenian music scene to a higher level.
 
 
 
It is hard for me to ask you for help, but that is my last chance to pay for the tuition. I emailed 100 companies in Slovenia for financial support, but no one has been willing to support me so far. The current situation in Slovenia does not allow musicians to get any kind of scholarship. I also checked the USA and International grants, but I can only apply to them with 60 credits. And because I am running out of time, I am kindly asking you if you can financially support me if you can. I will be the most grateful person. Being able to study at Berklee
would mean the world to me, and I am sure that someday you will hear my name. This money will go directly to cover the Berklee tuition and living expenses in Boston. When I get to Berklee, I will find a job to protect the food expenses. I will also work in Slovenia until my first semester starts, so I will have the money to rent an apartment in Boston for the first three months. After 1 year of studying there, I will be eligible for many international scholarships and some Berklee's scholarships for their students, to which I will be applying. 
 
Thank you from the bottom of my heart that you dedicated your precious time to reading my story and thank you so much for your donation.
 
 

Organizer

Ana Suligoj
Organizer
Gorizia, Province of Gorizia

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