Please Support My Musical Aspirations!

My name is Lucca Caise, and I am a classical musician from Los Angeles, California.  I have been playing the bassoon, a double-reed woodwind instrument, for about 4 years.  After sitting in front of a bassoon player in the 5th grade Honors Band, I knew that this odd, quirky instrument would be the choice for me.  Over the years, playing the bassoon has helped me grow as a person and musician, as well as expose me to various orchestras and honor groups.  I currently play in the Los Angeles Youth Orchestra's Symphony Orchestra, and we have played in stunning venues such as Ambassador Auditorium, UCLA's Schoenberg Hall, and the Walt Disney Concert Hall.  I have also participated in regional honor orchestras and Interlochen's prestigious summer camp.  As an African-American, I feel that it is important to try and reverse the ethnic curve of a predominately white field.  This Fall, I am about to start my Sophomore year of high school and I have been offered a once in a lifetime opportunity to attend the Interlochen Arts Academy in Northern Michigan.    

Due to the pandemic, my local public high school and the Los Angeles Youth Orchestra will be doing distance learning, prohibiting any music programs, honor groups, sports, etc. for an unknown period of time.  Interlochen, however, will be doing a closed campus experiment, prohibiting anyone from entering or leaving until late December.  Because of this, everyone will be able to continue in-person music and instruction. This would allow me to be fully immersed in a musical environment every day.

Unfortunately,  the total tuition to attend is roughly $66,000.  Fortunately, I received a large scholarship based on merit and need. However, tuition is still too expensive to pay as a whole; a shortfall of approximately $12,000.  The balance will go towards purchasing my own bassoon.  For my 16th birthday, while many kids are looking to get a car, I dream of getting a bassoon!  Any donation helps, no matter how big or how small, would extremely be appreciated.  All funds will be used solely to cover tuition, travel, and a bassoon.