VSO African American Fellowship Fundraiser

Hi, my name is Omari Imhotep Abdul-Alim. I am a classically trained violinist from the Seattle area recently accepted into the Virginia Symphony Orchestra's African American Fellowship. I am fundraising to help prepare for this program, where Fellows will perform as a part of the VSO in over 100 performances throughout eastern Virginia and engage in public school residencies and educational performances.

I graduated from the University of Cincinnati, finishing my master's degree at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music in violin performance in spring 2020. For the last two years, I have performed weekly as resident violinist at First Lutheran Church of San Diego. While in this last year, I have appeared as a guest artist with the San Diego Martin Luther King Choir, the New Vision of Praise Jazz band, Synergy, NeoTuesdays and more. Aside from my love for performance, I am a passionate educator. I use my experience in classical music to build a fun and enriching curriculum for students. I strive to bring forth my love for sharing music in all of my practices. Thus, it is a great honor to be presented this opportunity by the VSO.

This is the Virginia Symphony's first iteration of the African American Fellowship Program. The program consists of 100 performances and four professional-level mock auditions over ten months, from August 2022 to May 2023.

While the program does provide a living stipend of $1600 per month that begins dispersal on August 31st, the budget for moving costs, transportation and the purchase of professional materials before this date will be my responsibility.

Moving budget summary:

Car transport $1300

Furnishings $800

Audition expenses (x4) $2k

Instrument maintenance (x4) $360

Strings (x4) $240

Tux $450

Suit $450

+ Additional clothing

Plane ticket $300

Goal: $6000

Any monetary support that may be provided to help facilitate this transition and exceptional opportunity would be greatly appreciated!!