Thank you! Your donations since this website launched in late 2024 have covered most of Priya's pre-college music expenses since then. Her next big expense will be a college-ready cello, bow, and case (about $16,000 to $18,000). Priya has started a part-time summer job which will help a little toward this expense.
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 ($500 to $1500).
- Incidental music school expenses (direct costs are covered by scholarships, praise God!).
- Masterworks Festival, a Christian summer music camp, and other future summer music intensives (usually several thousand dollars each summer).
- Replacement cello strings (over $300/set).
- Piano accompanists for auditions and concerts ($200-$300 per event).
- Saving toward bigger expenses when Priya begins a master's program in 4 years (God willing); this may be the time to spend bigger money at a more prestigious school.
We are a single-income family (mostly!), so your support will make a big difference!
Goal: $20,000
Donated so far:
$5,883.37
(+ transaction fees)
Current balance:
$17.09
(Last updated 5/1/2026)
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), 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!