Singing my way to Italy

My name is Chase Upchurch, and I am a music education major with a voice concentration at Slippery Rock University.  Just recently, I auditioned into a vocal program in Italy and was accepted! I have started this GoFundMe to help pay for this international program! Here is a little bit about the program, and myself! :) 

This program is an international vocal training intensive that accepts students through audition to come study in Italy with master teachers from the United States, and Europe. During my time there, I will receive instruction five days a week starting in the morning and ending in the early evening. This instruction includes voice lessons, voice coaching, Italian classes, Italian diction classes, movement classes, acting classes, opera study, and masterclasses. All of these classes will be taught by some of the leading educators in the field today! In addition to the curricular parts of the program, we will be performing constantly around Italy and experiencing the culture of Europe through travel and exploration. I have no doubts that this experience will not only bolster my musical abilities, but it will also provide a beautiful perspective that will augment who I am as a person. Here is a link to the program’s website. (http://www.vocalacademyofitaly.org/)

This program, while amazing, is extremely expensive, and the costs are deferred to the students. The tuition for the program is $4,200.00, but I received a $500.00 scholarship towards this amount due to my experience and my audition videos. This amount covers all of the classes and housing for the program. The flight is not covered, nor is the amount of money that I will need to live on while I am there. The flight for a round trip will cost around $1,000.00, and I will need an estimated amount of $1,500.00 to eat on and travel with during my stay there. This totals to about $7,000.00.

I have begun to save money on my own through my jobs, and I am performing a concert on May 11th, at Nixon United Methodist Church with my partner Marie Helstrom to raise money also. This GoFundMe will accompany both of those in paying for the trip. If you can, I would very much appreciate a donation. I do not ask for money, but in a case like this, it is nearly impossible to not do so. I am hoping that those I have touched will return the favor in my time of need :)

For those of you who don't me, or what I have been to, here is a little bit about me! :)

I have been at Slippery Rock for three years now, and will be completing my junior year in a matter of six weeks. During my time at Slippery Rock, I have secured a position at Nixon United Methodist church as their choir director and pianist, teach as the Assistant Marching Band director for Leechburg High school, started my own personal studio where I teach voice and piano, secured a job at Sing Sing Sing USA where I teach beginning piano, voice, and guitar, lead Eurhythmics activities with children at the Pittsburgh Symphony, won the National Association of Teachers of Singing award in music theatre, won the Chad Williamson vocal scholarship competition here at Slippery Rock, and was the understudy for a professional opera in Pittsburgh while I played the actual role in Slippery Rock. Being accepted in the Accademia Vocale Lorenzo Malfatti Vocal training intensive is yet another accomplishment to add to the growing list during my time as an undergraduate student. 

 For your listening pleasure!!!!! 

Please enjoy this video of me singing for the Chad Williamson Scholarship Competition! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lOmCj1qswk 

Thank you all so much for being a witness and part of my journey. 

Love, Chase