Help Alexandra Study at the Royal Academy of Music

Goal: £15,000 (UPDATED GOAL: £6,845) – financial support for the first year of my Master of Music in Performance (Classical Guitar)

Deadline: 1st April 2025

Hello, my name is Maria-Alexandra Păceană, and I’m a classical guitarist, composer, and recent First Class Honours graduate in Music from Middlesex University London. In September 2025, I will begin a Master of Music in Performance at the Royal Academy of Music — one of the world’s most prestigious conservatoires — and I need your help to get there.

I’m incredibly proud to have been offered this place, after auditioning for two year in a row. I have also received the Turton Prize for Music for my achievements during my undergraduate studies at Middlesex University. Now, I am asking for your support to raise £6,845 toward my tuition fees and living costs — a life-changing opportunity that I cannot afford on my own.

Why this matters:

My Master’s project will focus on reviving and performing early Romanian music from the 17th and 18th centuries — a rich yet forgotten cultural heritage. I aim to transcribe, interpret, and bring to life this repertoire through classical guitar performance, connecting audiences with Romania’s deep musical past in fresh and engaging ways.

This work is not only personal — it’s about giving voice to underrepresented music and contributing to cultural preservation through performance, education, and community engagement.

Why I need your support:

Although I’ve been approved for a UK Postgraduate Master’s Loan, and I’m working full-time until September and plan to continue working part-time during my degree, the combined cost of tuition and living in London (almost £30,000 per year) far exceeds what I can manage alone.

Financial Plan for 2025-2026 Academic Year:

Outgoings: £ 29,694

Tuition fees (home fees): £17,000

Accommodation: £7,000

Bills: £900

Food/Groceries: £2,000

Travel (Zones 1–6) with Student Oyster per year: £2,284

Instrument Maintenance (guitar): £150 Strings, repairs, humidifiers, insurance

Competition/Exam Fees: £360 For entering performance competitions and external exams.

Income: £24,174

Student Finance Masters Loan: £ 6,429

Royal Academy Bursary: £2,000

Paid Work: £ 5,000 (expected)

Personal Savings: £3,700

Parents: £5,500

Individual Donations on Revolut: £220

Shortfall: £ 6,845

❤️ How you can help:

Donate what you can — every single gesture truly helps.

Contact me for private guitar lessons — I teach guitar to all ages.

Share this page with friends, colleagues, musicians, educators, or anyone who believes in the power of music and education.

Follow my journey — I will share updates, recordings, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of my project as it unfolds via Instagram (@alipaceana_artist) and Patreon (Ali Paceana).

If you’d like to hear me play or learn more about my work, I’m happy to send performance clips, project details, or even perform a piece just for you!

Thank you so much for reading and for believing in the future of music and cultural heritage. With your help, I can take this next step and give something meaningful back — as an artist, an educator, and a bridge between cultures.

With gratitude,

Maria-Alexandra Păceană