Your donations since late 2024 (when this site launched) have covered most of Priya's music expenses since then. Thank you! We recently made a $3,440 down-payment on a college-ready cello and case. Your donations can help cover the remaining cost ($13,800).
Sponsor Priya's Musical Education
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Your donation will help pay for...
- The college-ready cello and case mentioned above.
- A better bow ($500 to $1,500) and replacement strings (over $300/set).
- Incidental music college expenses. (Direct costs are covered by scholarships, praise God!)
- Masterworks Festival, a Christian music camp, and other future summer music intensives (usually several thousand dollars per year).
- Piano accompanists for auditions and concerts ($200-$300 per event).
- Savings toward a master's program in 4 years (God willing).
We are a single-income family (mostly!), so your support will make a big difference!
Goal: $20,000
Donated so far:
$6,572.23
(+ transaction fees)
Current balance:
$705.95
(- $3,440 cello payment)
(Last updated 5/19/2026)
So far, your donations have purchased...
A "transition" bow ($318), a used cello case ($297), two summers at Masterworks Festival ($2,036), Emory Youth Symphony Orchestra fees for '25-'26 ($475 after a scholarship), a piano accompanist for competitions and auditions ($640), college application fees ($335), competition entrance fees, audition trips direct expenses (not lost work time for Dad), and more! Thankfully, some of these represent savings compared to our original estimates.
Priya with Denielle Wilson, then (at time of photo) one of the newest cellists with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and also Priya's instructor at 2024 YOLA Academy.
The dream
Priya's confidence on the cello has increased greatly over the past couple years, as music teachers and mentors have encouraged her that, yes, she does have what it takes to train and perform at a high level. Having graduated from high school, Priya plans to continue cello studies at the Hodgson School of Music (UGA). Her dream is to play cello professionally.
The potential
Priya taught herself to read words when she was four years old. Now she reads books faster than her parents can and sight-reads new music better than any other music student that I (Dwight) have ever had. Priya also memorizes music well, performing challenging pieces without a score. She also improvises and accompanies well; when it's my turn to lead music at church she often joins me effectively on cello or another instrument, with minimal rehearsal or guidance.
The costs
Priya's musical education so far has been financed by her parents, donor friends and acquaintances, and Atlanta Music Project, where she--until recently--received tuition-free cello lessons. Thankfully, her direct college expenses at Hodgson School of Music should be mostly covered by scholarships, including a generous extra $7000 scholarship requested for Priya by her future teacher. However, many costs remain:
Now that Priya is going to music college, we are having to purchase a better cello that won't slow her progress. For years she persevered with a beginner cello, then for the '25-'26 school year she used a better instrument loaned by Atlanta Music Project. We've made a down payment on a better cello and case for Priya, but still owe $13,800.
There will be summer music intensive programs and other training opportunities over the next four years that require additional funding. These typically cost several thousand per year.
A better bow, replacement strings, travel expenses, and more are on the horizon.
And it's not too early to start saving toward graduate studies--expected training for orchestral musicians!
Priya's cello was made in 2006 by Lawrence K. Brown, a luthier in North Carolina.
The dedication
We could count on one hand the days over the past couple years that we've had to nudge Priya to practice cello. She normally plays for 1 to 3 hours per day and sometimes more. We've never pushed Priya to take her musical skills to a professional level and we won't. Our goal is to guide and equip a young lady already in motion.
The opportunity
To help sponsor Priya's musical education, please see the donate button above. For further questions, send a message using the link below. Thank you for your support!