Help Lance Attend Interlochen
Donation protected
"Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit." - Leviticus 26:4
Hi, my name is Lance Gulley.
I am 16 years old and currently a junior at Annapolis High School in Dearborn Heights, MI. The bass guitar and double bass are my two primary instruments. For the past several months I have been hosting my own show at the oldest jazz club in the world, Baker's Keyboard Lounge, with my band FuBop. I have also performed at Cliff Bell's, the Michigan Jazz Festival, and Bert's Marketplace.

I have recently been accepted into the prestigious and world renowned Interlochen Arts Academy. Tuition is $66,135. I was blessed to receive $50,000 from the academy in financial aid. This leaves my family and I with an unaffordable cost of $21,135 with a $2,500 portion of the tuition (enrollment deposit) due by January 5th, 2018 Update: Paid) Remaining $18, 635 due by graduation- May 2019. Additional expenses, fees and books/supplies add up to $2,000.
I would appreciate if you took the time to read my story below.
Since the age of 8, music has been a huge part in my life.
Everyone who knows me knows I love music and I am extremely dedicated.
My first musical experience was with the Cherub Choir at Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church. I remember being fascinated with Teresa Youngblood’s (the choir’s pianist) talent and musicianship. My first instrument was the violin. I started in 2nd grade in my elementary school's "Young Strings" program under the direction of Melissa Roberts. In 4th grade I switched to the viola, which I really enjoyed playing. The warm, human voice like tone really attracted me to the instrument. I played the viola all throughout middle school.

In 6th grade I joined the Detroit Children's Choir and had many amazing opportunities including singing at governor Rick Snyder's Christmas party at his home and performing on Orchestra Hall stage, home of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. In 7th grade I took my viola and enrolled in the DSO Civic Youth Ensembles. I received lots of my formal training here with some of Michigan's finest musicians and educators.

One day in 8th grade, I was play conducting on the podium in the bandroom. My band director at the time, Andy James, noticed something and he let me conduct a tune. He later on taught me conducting basics. I soon was the conductor of O.W. Best Middle School Bands and conducting whole concerts. I now am conductor emeritus and often go back to be featured.

March 11, 2015- Mr. James took a group of his students out to the Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe in Gross Pointe, MI. This night I remember thinking while watching legendary Detroit jazz bassist Marion Hayden have the time of her life swinging to the jubilant music, her big curly hair bouncing back and forth, "this is what I want to do. This is me."

That October, after contemplating for months whether or not to make such a big career move with 6+ years of classical violin/viola, I sold my 1993 German viola on Ebay and brought a Squier deluxe Jazz bass.

Since then I have gone on to have the honor of being under the tutelage of Lamont Johnson, Ralphe Armstrong, and Marion Hayden herself. Being taught and mentored by Sean Dobbins, Scott Gwinell, and Joe Palmer. Performing regularly in the Detroit music scene with others and my own group. I have participated in JC Heard Jazz Week at Wayne and the Metro- Detroit Jazz Workshop.

All these experiences stem from Melissa Roberts lighting the spark. She put that first violin in my hand and taught me how to play it and be apart of an ensemble. I remember thinking, "this is what I want to dedicate my whole life to."
Interlochen Arts Academy would be the most profound experience to have in my formative years.
I'll be immersed in the arts, studying with some of the finest educators and preparing for the real world and music conservatories.
If you are able and willing to sponsor in anyway, I would be forever grateful for you and express my depth of gratitude for you through my music.
Thank you for your time, love, and support.
Lance Gulley
Links:
My performance at the Michigan Jazz Festival.
Being honored for my achievements by the Detroit Bass Players organization.
Hi, my name is Lance Gulley.
I am 16 years old and currently a junior at Annapolis High School in Dearborn Heights, MI. The bass guitar and double bass are my two primary instruments. For the past several months I have been hosting my own show at the oldest jazz club in the world, Baker's Keyboard Lounge, with my band FuBop. I have also performed at Cliff Bell's, the Michigan Jazz Festival, and Bert's Marketplace.
I have recently been accepted into the prestigious and world renowned Interlochen Arts Academy. Tuition is $66,135. I was blessed to receive $50,000 from the academy in financial aid. This leaves my family and I with an unaffordable cost of $21,135 with a $2,500 portion of the tuition (enrollment deposit) due by January 5th, 2018 Update: Paid) Remaining $18, 635 due by graduation- May 2019. Additional expenses, fees and books/supplies add up to $2,000.
I would appreciate if you took the time to read my story below.
Since the age of 8, music has been a huge part in my life.
Everyone who knows me knows I love music and I am extremely dedicated.
My first musical experience was with the Cherub Choir at Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church. I remember being fascinated with Teresa Youngblood’s (the choir’s pianist) talent and musicianship. My first instrument was the violin. I started in 2nd grade in my elementary school's "Young Strings" program under the direction of Melissa Roberts. In 4th grade I switched to the viola, which I really enjoyed playing. The warm, human voice like tone really attracted me to the instrument. I played the viola all throughout middle school.
In 6th grade I joined the Detroit Children's Choir and had many amazing opportunities including singing at governor Rick Snyder's Christmas party at his home and performing on Orchestra Hall stage, home of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. In 7th grade I took my viola and enrolled in the DSO Civic Youth Ensembles. I received lots of my formal training here with some of Michigan's finest musicians and educators.
One day in 8th grade, I was play conducting on the podium in the bandroom. My band director at the time, Andy James, noticed something and he let me conduct a tune. He later on taught me conducting basics. I soon was the conductor of O.W. Best Middle School Bands and conducting whole concerts. I now am conductor emeritus and often go back to be featured.
March 11, 2015- Mr. James took a group of his students out to the Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe in Gross Pointe, MI. This night I remember thinking while watching legendary Detroit jazz bassist Marion Hayden have the time of her life swinging to the jubilant music, her big curly hair bouncing back and forth, "this is what I want to do. This is me."
That October, after contemplating for months whether or not to make such a big career move with 6+ years of classical violin/viola, I sold my 1993 German viola on Ebay and brought a Squier deluxe Jazz bass.
Since then I have gone on to have the honor of being under the tutelage of Lamont Johnson, Ralphe Armstrong, and Marion Hayden herself. Being taught and mentored by Sean Dobbins, Scott Gwinell, and Joe Palmer. Performing regularly in the Detroit music scene with others and my own group. I have participated in JC Heard Jazz Week at Wayne and the Metro- Detroit Jazz Workshop.
All these experiences stem from Melissa Roberts lighting the spark. She put that first violin in my hand and taught me how to play it and be apart of an ensemble. I remember thinking, "this is what I want to dedicate my whole life to."
Interlochen Arts Academy would be the most profound experience to have in my formative years.
I'll be immersed in the arts, studying with some of the finest educators and preparing for the real world and music conservatories.
If you are able and willing to sponsor in anyway, I would be forever grateful for you and express my depth of gratitude for you through my music.
Thank you for your time, love, and support.
Lance Gulley
Links:
My performance at the Michigan Jazz Festival.
Being honored for my achievements by the Detroit Bass Players organization.
Organizer
Lance Gulley
Organizer
Detroit, MI
