Sponsor Priya's Musical Education
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Your donation will help pay for...
- A better, college-ready cello (roughly $15,000), bow ($500 to $1,500), and cello case ($400 to $600)
- Masterworks Festival, a Christian music camp, summer of 2025 ($3,700)
- Emory Youth Symphony Orchestra fees ($825)
- Future summer music intensives, replacement cello strings (over $300/set), and other music education supplies and programs.
- Piano accompanists for auditions and concerts ($200-$300 per event)
We are a single-income family (mostly; Dwight has two part-time jobs with no benefits, selling inspirational books and teaching piano, while Zonya heads up homeschooling), so your support will make a big difference!
Goal: $20,000
Donated so far:
$4,380.36
(+ transaction fees)
Current balance:
$1817.07
(Last updated 12/15/2025)
So far, your donations have purchased...
A "transition" bow ($318), a used cello case ($297), four weeks at Masterworks Festival (only $235 after a $3,500 scholarship), EYSO fees for '25-'26 ($475 after a scholarship), a piano accompanist for competitions and auditions ($640), college application fees ($335), competition entrance fees, and more! Thankfully, some of these represent savings compared to our estimates above.
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. Priya aims to continue cello studies at college or a music conservatory. She just finished submitting college applications (including pre-screening audition videos) and expects to be busy with final auditions early in 2026. 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.
R: 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 costs
Priya's musical education so far has been financed by her parents, a few donors, and Atlanta Music Project, where she receives tuition-free cello lessons. As Priya prepares for college, however, there are summer music intensive programs and other training opportunities that require additional funding.
If Priya is going to music college, she also needs better equipment. In late 2024 we returned to the string shop where we bought Priya's current cello. While we were there, the owner heard Priya's playing and exclaimed, "She needs a better cello! That one's just for beginners!" (The owner generously loaned a much better instrument for free for two weeks, for Priya to use in a concert.) Priya is currently using an instrument loaned by Atlanta Music Project until she can get a better one of her own.
A better instrument would sound richer—helping with auditions and scholarship opportunities—and also be easier to play, helping prevent strain and injury. A better bow would also improve sound and a better case would be lighter and more durable than the heavy one she currently shoulders.
Other costs of supporting a music student include replacement strings, travel expenses, and lots of time running Priya (and her sisters) to musical events.
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!