Help Malcolm

Hi, my name is Susey Woodruff, and I am fundraising for Malcolm Payne Jr. Malcolm and I have been friends for over 11 years, first meeting each other freshman year in Dr. Di Fiore’s voice studio at University of North Texas. Malcolm is an incredible musician, performer, person, and friend, but has fallen on some hard times as of late. I’m organizing this fundraiser to help alleviate some of the stress and turmoil he’s had to endure recently.

In the past year, Malcolm has had a lot of unexpected expenses due to unfortunate situations. Just a few weeks ago, Malcolm’s car was stolen. He was unable to make income from teaching lessons during this time since he had no means of transport. Fortunately the car was recovered, but had suffered damages, and Malcolm has to pay his insurance deductible for the repairs. Earlier this year, Malcolm was wrongfully evicted from his apartment. He fought it in court and the judge ruled in his favor, but along the way he incurred moving expenses from having to find a new place to live and legal expenses from taking it to court. He has also had to endure personal tragedy, having multiple deaths and medical emergencies in his family.

All of these things have made it difficult for Malcolm to cover his necessary living expenses while also pursuing a singing career. Singing can be a very expensive career, with lessons, coachings, audition fees, audition travel and accommodations, and many other necessary aspects of the career quickly adding up. Due to the situations explained above, Malcolm has had to stop taking lessons and has started canceling auditions.

Anyone who knows Malcolm knows the passion he has for music and life. He has performed all over DFW, and has curated performances with Fort Worth Opera, the Dallas Arboretum, and several other arts organizations to bring classical music to audiences that otherwise might not experience it. He has sung with The Dallas Opera Outreach for 10 years, introducing opera to thousands of children every year as part of the program. Not only is Malcolm an amazingly talented singer of multiple genres, but also an incredible flute player. He is so supportive of his colleagues and friends, proudly sharing their successes in person and on social media. Malcolm’s stage presence is something to behold, commanding attention and magnetically pulling the audience into whatever story he is telling on the stage. His booming laugh and wide smile light up any room he’s in, and his passion and zest for life is infectious. I am so lucky to have Malcolm as a friend, and I know there are so many people who feel the same.

I know Malcolm’s beautiful spirit has touched many people, and I hope you are able to donate to help him get back on his feet so he can make ends meet and be able to do what he loves, perform!