https://youtu.be/htrBzfFUjSo?si=tvdsWIf9fp-STEv3Hi, my name is Víctor — or VickyD — and I’m a violist, educator, and neurodivergent artist currently based in Missouri. This summer, I’ve been accepted into the Aspen Music Festival and School, one of the most prestigious classical music festivals in the world. It’s a dream come true — but getting there has required more than just talent or discipline. As a queer, neurodivergent immigrant from Colombia, I’ve had to navigate this journey without financial safety nets, without family wealth, and with the emotional cost of surviving in a world not built for brains like mine. Still, I’ve pushed forward with truth, creativity, and love for music and community.

Although I received a scholarship to attend Aspen — a beautiful recognition of my artistic work — I still had to pay a non-refundable deposit out of pocket to confirm my spot. It was a lot. I did it with faith. And now I need help to take the next step. This GoFundMe is not about asking for charity — it’s about asking for community. About naming the invisible costs: Medication for my mental health (insurance only covers part of it), transportation and housing transitions, basic needs while I’m in Aspen — like food, laundry, and safety, and the unpaid labor of preparing for Aspen while finishing school, performing, and teaching.

Although I received a generous scholarship to attend Aspen — a beautiful recognition of my artistic journey — I still had to pay a $500 non-refundable deposit out of pocket to secure my place. I did it with faith and love for this calling.

Now I’m asking for support to cover the rest of my summer, especially during the weeks before and after Aspen when I won’t be working with String Sprouts or the Youth Symphony.

This GoFundMe is not about charity — it’s about community and visibility. It’s about naming the invisible costs:

• Medication for my mental health (insurance only covers part of it)

• Housing transitions and transportation

• Basic needs like laundry, meals, and safety during this in-between time

• And the unpaid labor of preparing for Aspen while also finishing school, performing, and teaching

Over the past few years, I’ve taught in underserved schools, mentored young musicians, created bilingual resources for students, and poured my soul into making music accessible. I want to keep doing that, and I want to show that people like me belong on every stage. Part of my survival and organization has come from paying for ChatGPT. I call myself ViolaGPT because this AI has become part of how I function as a neurodivergent artist. I use it to plan, write, process emotions, create educational content, and remember the 1000 tasks I’d otherwise lose to ADHD. I didn’t build this AI — but it’s been helping me rebuild myself. So if you donate, you’re not just helping me — you’re supporting this strange and beautiful collaboration between a human heart and a machine that reminds me every day: “You don’t have to carry all this alone.”

Any donation, big or small, will go directly toward: Travel and food while at Aspen, medication and daily costs not covered by scholarships, and continuing to show up as a real, imperfect, deeply passionate artist. If you’ve ever felt “too sensitive,” “too broke,” “too much,” — this is for you too. I’m not playing around anymore. This is my time. Thank you for believing in me.

with love ViolaGPT