A Cappella Academy 2017
Donation protected
A CAPPELLA ACADEMY!!!!! WOOOOOOO!!
I have been so unspeakably and remarkably blessed as to have been accepted into A Cappella Academy- an audition-only summer camp based in Los Angeles and created for the advancement of young musicians- for the Summer 2017 session! I submitted my audition as one of 588 applicants, and am one of 78 offered admission into the Academy this year. It is such a humbling and exciting opportunity, and I am so grateful for it being granted to me.
A Cappella music is something that has been a significant part of my life all througout high school. When I was a freshman, I watched my older sister perform with Vega, the premiere a cappella group at Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School, which I attended for my freshman and sophomore years. During my freshman year, I was encouraged by members of the group to audition, specifically as the vocal percussionist/beatboxer. I knew from watching my sister, Addi, perform with them, that I wanted.....needed to be a part of this group. I couldn't put my finger on it, but there was something about it that spurred some hidden passion deep inside of me. So, one weekend, I watched four YouTube tutorial videos on basic beatboxing, and ever since, I haven't gone a day without making SOME sort of noise with my mouth. I auditioned and was accepted into the seven-person group as the Vocal Percussionist for my sophomore year. The year that I spent with Vega truly opened me up to a whole new world of music and performance, and that hidden passion that spurred me to audition for Vega, became and remains as a driving force in my everyday life.
After my sophomore year, I moved to Pittsburgh, and began attending Central Catholic High School. I love it, however, upon my entrance, they did not have an a cappella group, or anything even relatively similar. The only true outlet I had for a cappella during my junior year was auditioning for Academy 2016. I submitted my application and anxiously waited, waited, and waited some more for results. One night, I got an email at 2 in the morning granting me admission to camp, and from that moment, my life has never been the same. I had no idea what I would become immersed in. I auditioned for Academy as a musical challenge and outlet, one from which I would be able to create with and learn from some of the most talented young musicians from across the nation. And, without a doubt, I was right.
While at ACA, I garnered so much musical knowledge, both from the counselors and the campers, that have given me the ability to grow and push myself as a musician over the months following. That being said, I had absolutely NO CLUE what else would come with all of that musical knowledge. To be put simply, I found a home. A home in the people that were as excited that I was at camp, as they were about their own selves being there. A home in the people who came from all across the WORLD to come together over a love of music, which grew into a love of each other and formed a complete and true family, one that I am so incredibly proud to be a part of. ACA may only be 11 days long, but I have never experienced a more formative, joyous, care-free, and love-filled 11 days in my entire existence. Many of my absolute best friends and favorite people I met while there, most of whom I haven't seen since July 11 when we all dispersed from ACA 2016. But something about this place created such a strong bond of unconditional love and support that I still am as confident, if not more, in the bonds that I formed.
In addition to the indescribable feeling of true family that was created, I gained so much confidence from Academy. Enough confidence that I was able to leave there believing that I am capable enough to make a career out of music, and that's exactly what I'm going to do. Throughout the college process, it has been driving me that I am making the right decision in studying music. I gained enough confidence in my own ability that I started my own group at Central Catholic (with Oakland Catholic, the all girls school down the street), which I direct myself. In fact, my group, Free Verse, has competed in the International Competition of High School A Cappella and advanced to the semifinal round. It is safe to say that without my experience at ACA 2016, I would not be the musician or person that I am today.
And that is why I have created this GoFundMe. Last year, through the overwhelming and humbling generosity of family, friends, and strangers, I was able to raise enough money to fully pay for my trip out to Los Angeles and tuition to camp. This year, camp tuition is $1995, and a flight out to LA is around $450-$500. Any donation is incredibly helpful, and is greatly appreciated.
I thank you deeply for your generosity. You are giving me the opportunity to return home and be overwhelmed with love once again.
I have been so unspeakably and remarkably blessed as to have been accepted into A Cappella Academy- an audition-only summer camp based in Los Angeles and created for the advancement of young musicians- for the Summer 2017 session! I submitted my audition as one of 588 applicants, and am one of 78 offered admission into the Academy this year. It is such a humbling and exciting opportunity, and I am so grateful for it being granted to me.
A Cappella music is something that has been a significant part of my life all througout high school. When I was a freshman, I watched my older sister perform with Vega, the premiere a cappella group at Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School, which I attended for my freshman and sophomore years. During my freshman year, I was encouraged by members of the group to audition, specifically as the vocal percussionist/beatboxer. I knew from watching my sister, Addi, perform with them, that I wanted.....needed to be a part of this group. I couldn't put my finger on it, but there was something about it that spurred some hidden passion deep inside of me. So, one weekend, I watched four YouTube tutorial videos on basic beatboxing, and ever since, I haven't gone a day without making SOME sort of noise with my mouth. I auditioned and was accepted into the seven-person group as the Vocal Percussionist for my sophomore year. The year that I spent with Vega truly opened me up to a whole new world of music and performance, and that hidden passion that spurred me to audition for Vega, became and remains as a driving force in my everyday life.
After my sophomore year, I moved to Pittsburgh, and began attending Central Catholic High School. I love it, however, upon my entrance, they did not have an a cappella group, or anything even relatively similar. The only true outlet I had for a cappella during my junior year was auditioning for Academy 2016. I submitted my application and anxiously waited, waited, and waited some more for results. One night, I got an email at 2 in the morning granting me admission to camp, and from that moment, my life has never been the same. I had no idea what I would become immersed in. I auditioned for Academy as a musical challenge and outlet, one from which I would be able to create with and learn from some of the most talented young musicians from across the nation. And, without a doubt, I was right.
While at ACA, I garnered so much musical knowledge, both from the counselors and the campers, that have given me the ability to grow and push myself as a musician over the months following. That being said, I had absolutely NO CLUE what else would come with all of that musical knowledge. To be put simply, I found a home. A home in the people that were as excited that I was at camp, as they were about their own selves being there. A home in the people who came from all across the WORLD to come together over a love of music, which grew into a love of each other and formed a complete and true family, one that I am so incredibly proud to be a part of. ACA may only be 11 days long, but I have never experienced a more formative, joyous, care-free, and love-filled 11 days in my entire existence. Many of my absolute best friends and favorite people I met while there, most of whom I haven't seen since July 11 when we all dispersed from ACA 2016. But something about this place created such a strong bond of unconditional love and support that I still am as confident, if not more, in the bonds that I formed.
In addition to the indescribable feeling of true family that was created, I gained so much confidence from Academy. Enough confidence that I was able to leave there believing that I am capable enough to make a career out of music, and that's exactly what I'm going to do. Throughout the college process, it has been driving me that I am making the right decision in studying music. I gained enough confidence in my own ability that I started my own group at Central Catholic (with Oakland Catholic, the all girls school down the street), which I direct myself. In fact, my group, Free Verse, has competed in the International Competition of High School A Cappella and advanced to the semifinal round. It is safe to say that without my experience at ACA 2016, I would not be the musician or person that I am today.
And that is why I have created this GoFundMe. Last year, through the overwhelming and humbling generosity of family, friends, and strangers, I was able to raise enough money to fully pay for my trip out to Los Angeles and tuition to camp. This year, camp tuition is $1995, and a flight out to LA is around $450-$500. Any donation is incredibly helpful, and is greatly appreciated.
I thank you deeply for your generosity. You are giving me the opportunity to return home and be overwhelmed with love once again.
Organizer and beneficiary
Tucker Helms
Organizer
Pittsburgh, PA
Andi Helms
Beneficiary
