( Not asking for student loan help )
I have been training to be a professional Jazz drummer since I was about 12 years old. I spent any free time I had behind the piano or drum set and any money I had on lessons, or instrument accessories. I even went to annual summer camps in colleges out of state to round myself out and experience what real music scenes were like.
I eventually got good enough to where I auditioned for Berklee College of Music and made it in, performing at a high level. Through my fathers military assistance, and whatever savings my family were able to get together, I got to attend and thrive diligently.
As expected, I loved the art of all of is. After a summer camp one year, I excitedly told my mom ” I just can’t wait for the day where I know what they know.” referring to the drum masters who were professors at those colleges. All felt fulfilled in my artistic pursuits.
However, I was starting to experience to downside of the life of a musician. The financial realities. They weren’t good. I saw my teachers, masters of their craft in their 50’s and older not ever being able to eat well or keep their families truly safe and comfortable and satiated. I eventually took some time off of school to try and make money in the city and in the real work force, and was not ever successful in paying rent or in having 3 meals a day. After a few months of this, out of all the things in the world to happen, Covid hit and has ruined my life, in a quite a literal sense.
I am 23 years old and after quite the upward plunge I’ve made in my early adult life getting as good at music as I’ve got, I have found myself back in my hometown as if I have worked for nothing. I can’t even get a real job in this town. I’m several thousands of dollars in debt because I’ve not had any work that can keep my head above water the past year and half. I have 16+ job applications in my small little town and my college and work experience means apparently nothing to anyone here, because I only have been able to get a part time minimum wage job and its becoming heart breaking that this is where I am in life right now after everything I’ve done in the past 11 years.
I don’t have any money to get things together for myself again. If I had all the money in the world, I’d get on a plane right now and go to New York, get a decent apartment in Manhattan, get myself the drums, cymbals, shoes, clothes, and healthcare I need to work as hard as possible as a musician to get to play with the great artists of our time. And then, I’d feel more confident in dating and start a family hopefully someday soon.
I don’t just need a thousand bucks or so, thats the truth. I need as much help as any donor could give. I need $11,000 to get out of debt, and I need general financial support to help me get out of this town and into the city to build my career. god bless whoever has read this far, and consider me for a donation!
paypal.me/NicholasWood453