My name is Diego Fernandez and I am a young, passionate flute player from the Pacific Northwest who is over half way to completing my degree in music performance at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. I completed my first semester of my junior year before needing to take a sudden pause in order to help raise more funds to complete my final 3 semesters. Initially being supported by my parents in my schooling, they are no longer able to support me as a student and I am left with the task of finding a solution. This happened to me very suddenly leaving me with no choice but to leave school and return home. SFCM has already been so incredibly supportive and has given me a small increase in aid, but I still come out short. After being encouraged by my friends and colleagues, I am reaching out and asking for my community and beyond for support. I can not do this by myself, so please consider supporting me as a young aspiring artist.

While I am in school at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM), I am working as a student worker in both the Production Team and Box Office Team where I learn skills beyond being a musician that are just as valuable. I lead clubs and help organize school wide events. I participate in the San Francisco Youth Symphony, I have played in every orchestra cycle at SFCM since my Freshman year on both flute and piccolo, and I have prepared full length recitals every year. I have played for artists such as Demarre McGill, Martha Long, Tara Helen O’Connor, Marianne Gedigian, Jasmine Choi, Yubeen Kim, Sharon Sparrow, Carol Wincenc, and Matthew Roitstein. In high school I was fortunate to attend camps such as the Interlochen Arts Camp and the National Youth Orchestra of the USA 2023. I am also a proud Latino and first generation student. I hope to inspire other first generation latino students in my community to dedicate themselves to something they love and to see that we have the support of each other and our communities. My incredible and wonderful flute professor, Catherine Payne, has been my biggest supporter through all of the good times and bad. When we discussed needing to take time off from school to raise money, I promised her that I would do everything I can to come back better and more eager to learn and improve. I miss my professor, my friends, and my peers so much. As a latino first generation college student, I will do what it takes to become the first in my family to obtain a college education.

Any and all funds raised will go directly to paying the tuition of my final 3 semesters. I am currently working as an employee at Chick-Fil-A where I put most of my paycheck towards my schooling. I plan on playing at the Saturday Farmers Market with friends, and busk around Salem to help spread my message. Please say hello if you see me! With my free time between work and practice, I am learning how to record myself and edit video of my own at home performances. Please look at my own recording of the Muczynski Three Preludes for Solo Flute Op. 18, and an excerpt from Valerie Coleman’s Danza De La Mariposa

I plan to host my very own open recital here in Salem in the next few months where I will be sharing my gift of music with my incredible community. I hope that all of you will attend and hear who you are supporting in person. Please follow me on Instagram @FluteyFlutist1 or send me a message where I can send you email updates about up coming events and my musical journey!

Any support really does mean the world to me. Even just a dollar pushes me closer to my goals that you will help me achieve. Please consider being a part of my journey!

Here are examples of my skills and craft. Again, thank you to everyone for any amount of support, regardless if it’s a donation or share. I know that with the strength of my community, and my determination, this is possible!