Hi there! My name is Dayla Spencer.

I am an incoming junior at Montclair State University in Montclair, NJ, majoring in Music Composition with a minor in Urban Studies. I am a composer, educator, trombonist, and bassist, among other things. I also work part-time as a music teacher at Bach to Rock in Wayne, NJ, teaching piano, guitar, and brass. Originally from Nashville, TN, I have had the privilege of being able to live in New Jersey for the past two years. I have had the opportunity to create a new life for myself here, and to explore a part of the country that was previously unknown to me.

I was hesitant to start this fundraiser, but I urgently need help to continue staying here.

My mother, Donna Jean Spencer, has worked tremendously hard to support me during my time in New Jersey as I adjust to being a young adult in a new part of the country. However, my loan application for this upcoming school year was denied. I come from a low-income, single parent household that has only just financially recovered from the economic shutdown caused by the Coronavirus pandemic, so taking out private loans are unfortunately essential for me to continue pursuing my education.

Despite recieving various federal loans and pell grant money from FAFSA, I currently owe about $13,000 for this upcoming semester. The deadline to pay my bill for the semester is August 11; my family and I have been attempting to figure out alternative solutions for the denied loan application for the past week or so (the bill was released on July 29th), but we have continued to fall short. If we are able to at least pay the $2500 owed for my summer housing, plus $2000 for the first installment of the 5-installment payment plan that the school offers, we should be able to pay the rest of the semester balance when the time comes and I will be able to continue attending school through the semester. This will give my family and I time to come up with a financial solution for the rest of my time at Montclair.

There isn't enough space in this description box to talk about just how drastically my life changed upon coming to NJ. I have made many friendships that I'm positive will last my entire life, even if someday I choose to return to Tennessee or relocate elsewhere. It's through the generosity of these friends that my journey in navigating this new place has been much more managable.

Musically, I have had the opportunity to take part in what I think are very important experiences for my young career, including attending international conferences such as the International Trombone Festival in Texas or the International Women's Brass Conference in Connecticut, pre-professional festivals such as the Imani Winds Chamber Music Festival at the Juilliard School, or performing locally in community bands and pit orchestras in Bloomfield, New Brunswick, and Metuchen. Through my friends, I've been able to learn all there is to know about NJ (and NYC) culture, such as having a fun beach day in Ocean Grove with a BLT from Wawa, learning about all the different bagel and cream cheese combinations, the Taylor ham vs. pork roll debate, and the everlasting "feud" between NJ and NYC.

Much of my professional and personal life is rooted in New Jersey. To go back to Tennessee would mean to, in a way, start my adult life all over again. I'm not sure I'm able to afford that, and I'm positive it wouldn't be the same. My opportunities back home are extremely limited, and I won't have the same independence that I do in NJ.

All funds raised from this GoFundMe go directly to paying for my education at Montclair State. Any help would be greatly appreciated, and I thank you for taking the time to read this.