Hi friends and family,

We’re reaching out to ask for your help in supporting our son, Michael Stratford, aka Mikey, an incredibly dedicated young musician and all-around amazing human. As many of you know, Michael has poured his heart into the upright bass since the fourth grade, and now, all that hard work is paying off in a big way!

Mikey is graduating from the high school program at UNCSA, and this summer, he has been accepted into not one, but TWO prestigious music programs: the Philadelphia International Orchestra Program and the International Chamber Music Academy of Ochsenhausen, Germany. These opportunities are absolutely life-changing, giving him the chance to learn from some of the best musicians in the world and take the next big step toward his future in classical music.

But here’s the challenge—between tuition, travel, and accommodations, the cost for both programs is nearly $8,000. After weeks of travel and lodging for college auditions, we, as his parents, simply can’t cover this on our own. And we don’t want him to miss out on these opportunities because of finances.

More About Mikey

If you know Mikey, you know he is not just an incredibly talented musician—he’s also a kind, compassionate, and driven person. His love for music started early, and by the age of 12, he was already studying with top bass teachers. Before attending UNCSA, he performed as principal double bass with both the Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestra and the NCMEA All-State Orchestra in 2022. He has also been a finalist in multiple national competitions, including:

Charlotte Symphony Guild’s Young Artist Concerto Competition (Finalist, 2022)

Peter Perret Young Talent Search Concerto Competition (Finalist, 2024)

Hilton Head Concerto Competition (3rd Place)

Principal Bass, NYOUSA 2024 South America Tour

Beyond music, Mikey has always been passionate about making the world a better place. At just 13, he co-founded CLEVER, a support group helping LGBTQIA youth find community and friendship in North Carolina. His heart is just as big as his talent, and we know he’s going to make an incredible impact—both on stage and in the world.

How You Can Help

We want to be fully transparent about where your generous donations will go. Here’s a breakdown of the expenses for Michael’s summer programs:

Philadelphia International Orchestra Program – $4,000 (Tuition for two weeks)

International Chamber Music Academy, Ochsenhausen, Germany

Program fees & bass rental – $1,000

Flight to Germany – $1,700-$2,000

Additional travel & incidentals – Estimated $500

Total Estimated Cost: $7,500 - $8,000

Michael has applied for scholarship opportunities, but at this point, we don’t know how much (if anything) he will receive. Any donations beyond what is needed for these programs will go toward his college education fund and purchasing his own bass (he currently rents his instrument).

Every donation, no matter the size, brings Mikey one step closer to these life-changing experiences. If you’re able to give, we would be forever grateful. And if you can’t donate, please consider sharing this page to help us spread the word.

Thank you all for your love, support, and belief in Mikey. We can’t wait to see where this journey takes him!

With gratitude,

Stephanie and Michael