<div><strong>The Natalie Clark Memorial Voice Scholarship</strong>
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<div>Hi I'm Holly Tate, a music teacher at <a href="https://acupofrainbows.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A Cup of Rainbows</a> in Mableton, GA. I created this fundraiser to be able to offer a scholarship in memory of my former voice &amp; piano student, Natalie.
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<div><strong>This scholarship supports students ages 5 years &amp; up who need help paying for lessons, </strong>especially those who need extra encouragement, empowerment, support, and stress relief. It's open to teens and adults too since mindset coaching &amp; therapeutic arts are included in lessons. I believe that should be available for all ages.
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<div><strong>Your support can make a difference far beyond music skills.</strong>
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<div>Music lessons and performances also build self-belief, promote resilience, and nurture self-care. They help students feel happier, calmer &amp; more confident - both onstage and off. A student once called me "the voice teacher who's also an inner voice teacher" because of the holistic approach &amp; mindset methods I use in lessons... and that all started with Natalie. (Story below)
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<div><strong>Natalie would have loved a project like this!</strong>
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<div>She was an active volunteer in her community from an early age. I remember her often playing piano at a nursing home, and later she volunteered with <a href="https://mygirltalk.org/blog/natalie-clark-tribute/?fbclid=IwY2xjawG68vJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHXsj-ULawCYqS4FUqEwgu_62HghCqpsxFEPzJdjgomRMOTmmoK9n4bTEog_aem_PFnb3LW2NgjT_2z_CNTurw" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Girl Talk</a>- supporting young girls who struggled with mental health. She continued to serve <a href="https://www.redandblack.com/uganews/family-friends-remember-natalie-shay-clark-s-spirit-advocacy/article_09f64344-4815-11ec-b192-f77925abefc7.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">her community at UGA</a> where “she was known for her kind heart and adventurous spirit” and “was <a href="https://www.redandblack.com/uganews/uga-s-alpha-chi-omega-holds-memorial-for-natalie-clark/article_2fb7b1ee-45d6-11ec-a611-73246470e6af.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawG6889leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHaPrbk1jE-A5uo_rhQwth4YQihtBVNUkC95ayF1BXG4RX2BGFh52kt5Klg_aem_KLYT12ohiDiH_41ahgjbuA" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">remembered as a talented singer</a>, a gifted writer and a proud advocate.”
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<div><strong>If you’re a music lover or loved Natalie, please donate what you can, </strong>share our mission, and encourage others to help us share the gifts of music, joy, and inner peace.
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<div><strong>I'll be matching donations with my time,</strong> so your donation makes double the impact on their lesson tuition. You can donate any amount - every bit adds up!
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<li>With <strong>5 gifts of $25</strong> ($125) a student receives a full month of lessons plus they are invited to perform at one of our fun recitals* ($250 value)
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<li>With <strong>17 gifts of $35</strong> ($595) a student receives an entire semester of lessons and 2 performance opportunities!* ($1190 value)
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<li>With <strong>30 gifts of $50</strong> ($1500) a student receives an entire year of lessons - including 2 semesters Aug-May PLUS summer lessons and 4 recitals* ($3000 value)
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<div>*Recitals are optional for nervous students who need to to build confidence first, or those who simply need music lessons for stress relief.
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<div><strong>Together, we can make a big difference in a student's life! </strong>
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<div>And this scholarship can impact even more than one student as we spread the funds into partial scholarships if a full scholarship is not needed (e.g. college students paying for their own lessons, or when a parent finds a new job and no longer needs the scholarship). 
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<div>If you know me personally and would prefer to use Zelle, Cash app, Venmo or a check to bypass GoFundMe processing fees, just contact me and I'll send details.
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<div><strong>Scholarship details are below, but first a little about Natalie.</strong>❤️
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<div><strong>ABOUT NATALIE CLARK</strong>
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<div>Natalie Clark lit up my early teaching days with her <strong>sparkly personality &amp; heart for the arts.</strong> She was a bright-eyed, bushy-tailed voice &amp; piano student with a big smile (or sometimes a mischievous grin). Smart as a whip and witty to boot, she was just <strong>a joy to teach. </strong>
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<div>We had many lessons together, but <strong>one unforgettable lesson changed my teaching trajectory forever - and for better.</strong>
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<div>It’s 2006… a normal teaching afternoon and a precious 7-year-old Natalie enters her voice &amp; piano lesson. Within moments, a typically spunky, silly Natalie breaks character &amp; bursts into tears. Not just little tears. Overwhelmed, stressed-out, sobbing tears.
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<div>She recounted the challenges I still hear too often today:
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<div>… too much homework
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<div>… too many tests
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<div>… harsh, judge-y teachers
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<div>… busy rush of life
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<div>… missing out on playtime
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<div>… SO. MUCH. STRESS!
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<div>... at only 7 years old.
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<div>Before she finished, my own tears fell as I consoled her. It broke my heart seeing a child struggle with so much overwhelm. And in that moment, everything shifted for me.
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<div>I resolved right then and there: I refuse to contribute to the stress fest.
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<div>My lessons will relieve stress from a student’s week, not add more to it.
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<div><strong>Thanks to Natalie, I embraced a holistic, "fun first" teaching philosophy, </strong>prioritizing joy, love of learning, and well-being over all the traditional music goals &amp; practice expectations.
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<div><strong>Life skills before music skills was my new method</strong>
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<div>(and to my delight, the music skills improved too!)
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<div>That day with Natalie also reminded me that <strong>music lessons aren’t only for enjoyment &amp; education.</strong>
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<div>For some students, <strong>they also hold therapeutic value.</strong>
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<div>For me growing up, music was mostly joyful, but not always. Sometimes it was my safe haven - an escape from the world.
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<div>Or a way of expressing my depression or calming my anxiety.
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<div><strong>Music </strong>(along with arts and nature) <strong>was my peace when life felt overwhelming, ugly, or hard—just like Natalie felt in that lesson.</strong>
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<div>To quote a Sarah Bareilles song, music was my “<a href="https://youtu.be/Ht2NCrlghS4?si=6Q39HRQtrFLh3a_X" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Safe Place to Land</a>”. (Amazing vocals, btw! And definitely therapeutic music!)
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<div>Well,<strong> I was determined to create a safe place for Natalie to land </strong>&amp; give her and other students the opportunity to feel supported and to relieve stress - or at least not have it compounded.
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<div>Nat inspired me to make my music lessons<strong> a refuge &amp; sanctuary from the unnecessary pressures &amp; unhealthy expectations </strong>that are so prevalent in our society.
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<div><strong>Because music has superpowers.</strong>
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<div>Music heals.
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<div>Music nurtures.
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<div>Music empowers.
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<div>Music inspires.
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<div>Music expresses every emotion.
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<div><strong>So with this scholarship, I plan to share the music, mindset, and self love practices that can make a difference in a life. </strong>
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<div>We lost Natalie too soon, at only 22 years old, but her flame shines bright in my heart. And her photo in my studio reminds me daily of <strong>my big WHY: to make a difference in the lives of my students &amp; let them know how valuable, loved &amp; supported they are.</strong>
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<div>I hope Natalie’s story inspires you to remember the butterfly effect that you can make with even a small donation. Natalie changed my life, which changed the lives of many students to follow her over the years. Your compassionate contribution can perpetuate that cycle.
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<div><strong>If these values align with your own, or if you remember Natalie as fondly as I do, please contribute what you can </strong>to her memorial scholarship - every dollar makes a difference!
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<div>And <strong>please share </strong>this fundraiser to give voice students the gift of music, joy &amp; peace.
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<div><strong>THANK YOU for your kindness &amp; generosity and for helping me fulfill A Cup of Rainbows' Mission: </strong>to share good vibes and magical moments through the power of positivity, creativity, meditation &amp; inspiration!
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<div><strong>If you know someone who struggles with mental health &amp; emotional wellbeing,</strong> please feel free to <a href="https://acupofrainbows.com/contact" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">contact me</a> or refer them to my website <a href="https://acupofrainbows.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A Cup of Rainbows</a> for meditation, hypnotherapy, therapeutic arts coaching, spiritual counseling, or for free mental health resources.
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<div><strong>WHAT'S INCLUDED</strong>
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<div>This scholarship provides <strong>weekly 30-minute voice lessons</strong> for singers of all ages. Students can also participate in quarterly performances in our community.
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<div><strong>Our performances include</strong> fun recitals and events that benefit the community, like our February performance at a long-term care center for senior citizens. We also have occasional vocal workshops &amp; masterclasses learn together!
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<div><strong>In addition to musical training &amp; performance skills, each lesson also includes </strong>self love &amp; mindset coaching to improve self esteem, build self confidence, and cultivate a positive relationship with challenges, resilience, and perseverance.
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<div><strong>Why I decided to include college students &amp; adults</strong>
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<div>Natalie's influence is part of my journey into advocacy for self-love and mental health. Since <strong>she lost her mental health battle at only 22 years old</strong>, and <strong>I struggled with an anxiety disorder &amp; annual depression until age 48</strong>, I wanted to make this scholarship available to college students &amp; adults (in addition to kids) for the purpose of <strong>therapeutic arts.</strong>
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<div>My voice lessons often include tips for stress management, confidence coaching, or therapeutic tools for anxiety and depression. I often integrate and intertwine music with mindset, meditation, breathwork, and other holistic practices.
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<div>Many adults seek a creative outlet to nurture self-love, self-esteem, and self-respect, so I wanted to make sure this scholarship was available to anyone who needs it, regardless of age.
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<div><strong>SCHOLARSHIP DETAILS</strong>
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<div><strong>How it works: </strong>
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<div>Scholarships will be given to one or more students, based on the number of applicants, the amount of financial need, and the amount of funds available.
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<div><strong>Students will be chosen based on</strong>
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<li>the amount of financial need
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<li>a love for learning &amp; willingness to practice
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<li>the student's need for personal empowerment &amp; emotional support
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<li>the willingness of student/parent to support our programs in non-monetary ways (e.g. volunteer at a recital, share social media posts, etc.)
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<div><strong>Recipient Benefits: </strong>This scholarship offers weekly 30-minute voice lessons for all ages, plus opportunities to perform in fun community recitals, like our February event to entertain seniors in a long-term care center. Lessons also include self-love &amp; mindset coaching to boost confidence, self-esteem, and resilience. Students are also invited to fun workshops &amp; advanced masterclasses.
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<div><strong>Why I decided to include college students &amp; adults</strong>
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<div>Natalie’s story inspired my advocacy for self-love and mental health. After losing her at only 22 years old and finally overcoming my own struggles with anxiety and depression at 48 years old, I created this scholarship to support college students and adults (as well as kids) through vocal coaching which includes therapeutic arts &amp; mindset coaching.
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<div>My lessons blend vocal skills with life skills like stress management, confidence coaching, and holistic tools like meditation and breathwork, offering a creative outlet for self-love and healing. I want that to be available for any voice student - regardless of age.
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<div><strong>THE FUTURE...</strong>
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<div>I envision expanding from 2 scholarships (see also the <a href="https://gofund.me/f2d012ca" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">David Elliott Piano Scholarship</a>), into a nonprofit organization that can serve more students in various creative &amp; inspirational programs including music, arts, meditation &amp; more.
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<div>But for now, we start where we are - and like the starfish story, we make a difference for one student at a time.
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<div><strong>THANK YOU for your kindness &amp; generosity and for helping me fulfill A Cup of Rainbows' Mission:</strong> to share good vibes and magical moments through the power of positivity, creativity, meditation &amp; inspiration!
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Maggie Chiles

Tom Prachar

Anita Peppers

Anonymous

Gina Micalizio

Shari Clark

Bruce Clark

Cathy Wheeler

Paula Lapin

Kathy Hughes

Natalie Clark Memorial Scholarship for Music, Minds & Hearts

Es fehlen nur noch $550$ bis zum Erreichen des Zielbetrags! Bewirke Gutes.

Natalie Clark Memorial Scholarship for Music, Minds & Hearts

Es fehlen nur noch $550 bis zum Erreichen des Zielbetrags!
Bewirke Gutes.