Hello, my name is Jude Weston and I am a cellist. I have been playing for around six years and I play in the Forest Grove High School Orchestra, Camerata Northwest, and the Pacific University Philharmonic Orchestra. I also attend a music camp at Willamette University called YMA. It is a music camp for aspiring musicians to help them better themselves. I have three younger siblings who all play string instruments as well. My father is a police officer and plays the guitar and sings. My mother is a stay-at-home mom and is constantly busy with all of us kids. Currently, I am trying to raise money to buy my own cello so that I can further my cello playing. I am currently playing on a rented cello from my school. I am hoping to continue playing the cello after I graduate from high school and will always remain an essential part of my life. This is a recording of the Elgar Cello Concerto that I have been working on. 

Statement of support from Jude's cello teacher
Jude has been one of my private cello students for the past year and a half. Since then I have been able to see his grown to know him as someone who demands a certain level of excellence from himself and puts in the work to get there. He applies this standard to both his individual and ensemble music. He has progressed quickly through several big technical hurdles such as integrating the thumb in his playing, refining his tine quality, and connecting to the music he plays on a deeper level. He is now starting to play more advanced repertoire such as the Elgar cello concerto in E minor. Portions of this song are quite high and very difficult to play on the instrument that he currently borrows. If Jude gets a new instrument, I know that he will work hard to put it to good use and share its effect with his community. I am giving my support to this cause because it will really make a difference to him and because I know he will make good use of it. Jude currently plays in his high school orchestra, the NW Camerata, the Pacific University Orchestra, and is starting a string quartet with some fellow musicians. He has also pushed himself musically by taking the time to think of stories behind some Bach Suite movements and by taking AP Music Theory in high school. It should also be noted that he has been raising money himself for a number of months by playing for tips at local coffee shops on the weekends. He is a hardworking, self-driven individual deserving of your support.
--James Cheng, Jude's private cello instructor

Statement of support from Jude's orchestra conductor
Jude Weston is a cellist in my small chamber orchestra, Camerata Northwest, at Pacific University String Project.  I have now been working with Jude in rehearsals for one year.  That includes about 26 rehearsals of 2.5 hours each and about 5 performances.   At the outset, he showed real musical potential even though he was undisciplined in his playing and wayward in his attention to details and following instruction.  During the ensuing year, he has blossomed in every way and has become much more mature and serious.  I have witnessed very, very impressive growth in Jude as a cellist and as a person.  He seems quite motivated and ready for major leaps in his playing.  Clearly, a better cello would accelerate this growth right at this point in his life.  He has something special to offer and I believe such a instrument would make a dramatic difference for Jude.  
--Mr. Lyndon Lawless, conductor and educator

Statement of support from university music education faculty 
Jude is a cello student in Pacific University String Project and I have known him and his entire family (parents with 4 children) for 4 years. I have had the opportunity to teach Jude as well as to hear him play in orchestra and solo recitals. I have also had numerous opportunities to interact with Jude and observe his attitude's and behaviors. With full confidence, I can state that Jude is one of the most musical, dedicated, and hard-working high school students I have ever worked with. He is also well-mannered and acts out as a caring and kind young individual. It saddens me that this gifted young man has had no opportunity to own his own cello and that he has to rent one from his high school. The cello on which Jude is currently playing is of low quality, is in bad shape, and is most certainly standing in the way of Jude's musical progress.  I would highly encourage all concerned with the upbringing of the next generation of music students to consider donating any amount of money they might be comfortable with towards this noble project. 
--Dr. Dijana Ihas, Associate Professor of Music Education of Pacific University