Helping young musicians in Costa Rica!

Unlike some of you, I don't really have one of those large, very close families. I really wish I did, but you can't control what family you are born into, obviously. It's not really that my family lacks in size, there are enough people...but everyone is either geographically spread out, not interested in staying in touch, or have troubled lives so that we aren't really traveling on the same path, if you know what I mean. But I do have a sister, whom I adore. The only problem there is, she and her family, live about 700 miles away from me. We make an annual trip down to Tennessee to visit, and oh how I love those trips! However, I still miss them the other 95% of the year lol.

with my family in Tennessee, minus my nephew Collin (he wasn't with us)

My sister, her husband and their two children moved down there many years ago for better opportunities and better weather. Which if I could I would do the same, so I don't blame them at all! Her 2 kids have now grown up into young adults and I am so proud of them both! But, this blog post is going to focus on my niece, Nayana. She is actually my reason for telling y'all this background information on my family...yes, I have a point to all this, I'll get to it now lol.

Nayana has been playing clarinet for the last 8 years, starting in middle school. She has been hugely successful in her music career! In the past she had been accepted into the Murfreesboro Youth Orchestra, performing various concerts with that group of talented youngsters! Last year, she received the John Philip Sousa Award for her musical excellence! This is awarded to only one high school student per school, per year. It recognizes superior musical talent, loyalty, dependability, effort, and cooperation. You can imagine how proud of her we were for her achievement!

Nayana with her John Philip Sousa Award, 2014

TMEA State Concert Festival

Nayana; second one from left.

Nayana, on the right.

This year, as a college freshman at Middle Tennessee State University, she is continuing to excel in her musical endeavors! She is a music major, no surprise there! She is also minoring is Spanish and Recording Industry, which of course corresponds with her future musical career. She is in MTSU's Symphonic Band, 2nd chair and chamber winds. She recently came to me with some news of an exciting opportunity. She was asked to partake in a trip, along with other music students, to spend 2 weeks in Costa Rica in May 2016. Is this just a vacation to soak up some sun and do site-seeing? Oh no, they plan to do some important work there! The area they plan to visit is very poor. They have some eager to learn students, but without all the proper funds needed to have all the instruments and teachers to help them learn, their music education has been neglected. This is where the selected  MTSU music majors come in! Their wish is to go to this under privileged area, perform for and teach the students there! Nayana explained to me, "I hope the music I play for them will change their lives and give them inspiration to keep growing as a musician, even though they don't have much." I admire her passion to want to help those less fortunate and she told me what an amazing opportunity this is and she was delighted to even be asked to participate! The students they wish to help teach are from elementary through high school age kids. I can imagine these kids will be very thrilled with having some attention and education for their musical needs!

 

 

Nayana has worked a part time job since the day (literally) she turned 16. She is such a hard worker and despite her busy schedule with school, maintaining excellent grades, her band/orchestra practices and performances, she is still working while attending college too! But as most of us know all too well, college is expensive and she bought a car for her daily commute. This trip is in no way paid for through the college, so if the students want to go, they must pay their own way, an estimated $2,500. So, Nayana has set up a GoFundMe account in hopes that she can get some financial support for her trip to Costa Rica! I told her I would be more than happy to share her story, her goals and ambitions, and spread the word about her desire to go help those less fortunate with the art of music! Please feel free to click on the GoFundMe link and if you desire to donate, please do! Any help is appreciated!

GoFundMe Link; https://www.gofundme.com/z54ev53g

Nayana with Dr. Reed Thomas, Director of Band at MTSU; and organizer of this Costa Rica Project.

 

 

 

 

 

 

lots of practice and dedication!



Nayana, second in from the right. MTSU Marching Band members.