Monica Caldwell's "Receive My Degree" Fund
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Monica Caldwell’s "Receive My Degree" Fund
Hello Family and Friends,
I would like to ask for your support in raising funds to complete my transition from student to graduate. As some of you may know, I completed my Bachelor’s of Music in Spring of 2018 from Indiana University, however, I have yet to receive my degree. During the course of my senior year, my family and I were burdened by a number of unexpected financial hardships and I experienced personal health concerns, which led me to take a medical leave. While I was able to continue my studies, perform my recitals, and complete my degree program, I incurred a large amount of debt (late payment fees, interest, etc.). I am very thankful for the education that I received but I have not been able to take full advantage of this achievement.
I had a balance of $6,400.00 and I worked to lower the amount for the past two years. Currently, I have a balance of $4,227 and I reached an agreement with my alma mater to settle the account for $2800 by June 30, 2020. I am asking my community to help me cross the finish line. I am almost there and I cannot wait to officially be at the next level of my career. My goal is to pursue a Master’s degree in Arts Administration or Public Administration with a minor in Viola Performance. As I look to the future, I hope that you will continue to be a part of my journey and I appreciate any contribution you are able to make!
Thank you, Monica Caldwell
More About me
My love for the Viola has been an essential component of my life for the past thirteen years, and through my undergraduate studies, my love of classical music was able to take center stage. At Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, I studied with Professor Stephen Wyrczynski and was fortunate to perform music at the highest levels of artistry in the United States. The leadership from this program afforded me the opportunity to participate in weekly private lessons, rehearsals, and performances with esteemed faculty—all opportunities which have nurtured my talent and ambition.
A new height of my potential was realized at Indiana University because it is here that my values and beliefs further materialized through music entrepreneurial studies. My time in these courses showed me the value that arts administration and music business adds to the industry and in the lives of artists. I also became very aware of the potential they have to be a viable change agent for the challenges many minority performers, like myself, face. These new possibilities in the arts inspired me to develop an arts initiative that is designed to create scholarship opportunities for music majors attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). With this idea, I entered into the Jacobs School’s 5th annual Innovation Competition and was awarded 2nd prize. While this was only a small beginning, it embodies the essence of my passion for making the art industry and the world a more inclusive place.
What have I been up to?
Though I am awaiting the opportunity to go to graduate school, I’m still learning from the best—Life! I cannot say that I have mastered adulting but I have worked very hard to gain some of the skills needed to be successful in the non-profit sector of business. I have taken several classes on Grant-writing and I have found myself using this knowledge to help others. I have primarily obtained grant funds for organizations that alleviate food insecurity in predominantly African-American communities. Creatively, I still find time to play the viola (Scales, Bach Cello Suite No.2) and I am currently reading Credo Mutua’s "Indaba My Children" and Michelle Obama’s "Becoming". I am trying to challenge myself and spend time creating in different mediums such as creative writing and I am self-teaching myself to write a complete screenplay. Wish me luck!
Hello Family and Friends,
I would like to ask for your support in raising funds to complete my transition from student to graduate. As some of you may know, I completed my Bachelor’s of Music in Spring of 2018 from Indiana University, however, I have yet to receive my degree. During the course of my senior year, my family and I were burdened by a number of unexpected financial hardships and I experienced personal health concerns, which led me to take a medical leave. While I was able to continue my studies, perform my recitals, and complete my degree program, I incurred a large amount of debt (late payment fees, interest, etc.). I am very thankful for the education that I received but I have not been able to take full advantage of this achievement.
I had a balance of $6,400.00 and I worked to lower the amount for the past two years. Currently, I have a balance of $4,227 and I reached an agreement with my alma mater to settle the account for $2800 by June 30, 2020. I am asking my community to help me cross the finish line. I am almost there and I cannot wait to officially be at the next level of my career. My goal is to pursue a Master’s degree in Arts Administration or Public Administration with a minor in Viola Performance. As I look to the future, I hope that you will continue to be a part of my journey and I appreciate any contribution you are able to make!
Thank you, Monica Caldwell
More About me
My love for the Viola has been an essential component of my life for the past thirteen years, and through my undergraduate studies, my love of classical music was able to take center stage. At Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, I studied with Professor Stephen Wyrczynski and was fortunate to perform music at the highest levels of artistry in the United States. The leadership from this program afforded me the opportunity to participate in weekly private lessons, rehearsals, and performances with esteemed faculty—all opportunities which have nurtured my talent and ambition.
A new height of my potential was realized at Indiana University because it is here that my values and beliefs further materialized through music entrepreneurial studies. My time in these courses showed me the value that arts administration and music business adds to the industry and in the lives of artists. I also became very aware of the potential they have to be a viable change agent for the challenges many minority performers, like myself, face. These new possibilities in the arts inspired me to develop an arts initiative that is designed to create scholarship opportunities for music majors attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). With this idea, I entered into the Jacobs School’s 5th annual Innovation Competition and was awarded 2nd prize. While this was only a small beginning, it embodies the essence of my passion for making the art industry and the world a more inclusive place.
What have I been up to?
Though I am awaiting the opportunity to go to graduate school, I’m still learning from the best—Life! I cannot say that I have mastered adulting but I have worked very hard to gain some of the skills needed to be successful in the non-profit sector of business. I have taken several classes on Grant-writing and I have found myself using this knowledge to help others. I have primarily obtained grant funds for organizations that alleviate food insecurity in predominantly African-American communities. Creatively, I still find time to play the viola (Scales, Bach Cello Suite No.2) and I am currently reading Credo Mutua’s "Indaba My Children" and Michelle Obama’s "Becoming". I am trying to challenge myself and spend time creating in different mediums such as creative writing and I am self-teaching myself to write a complete screenplay. Wish me luck!
Organizer
Monica Caldwell
Organizer
Snellville, GA