Fundraiser to support my musical theater studies and dreams

My name is Anthi Felekidou, I am 21 years old and I live in Athens, Greece. I decided to create this fundraiser in order to raise money for my degree tuition since my acceptance into two universities in America, Manhattan school of music (MSM) and The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA). My goal is to use this money in order to support, not only my studies but also, the living costs and other additional needs, related to my studies.

My decision to become a musical performer wasn't the first thing that came to my mind as a child growing up in Greece. Being exposed to books and games, made me want to be a character that lives in another reality, outside my comfort zone. What triggered me and made me realize that I want to live in the theater was ‘’The Phantom of the Opera” that was released when I was 4 years old. I was dazzled by the story and the songs that I realized I would love to participate on a musical like that and perform in theatres. I had been performing on stage as a dancer since the age of four. Later, when I was fifteen years old, I started my singing performance. Growing up in Greece, was very difficult to find a place to study musical theatre. It is discouraging when there is not another option for your education in your country, especially if it something that you have dedicated your whole life to. That's why I decided to keep the teachers that made me the person and the artist that I am today and attend private lessons with them, to study abroad.

Due to continuous financial hardships that have occurred in Greece over the latest years, my parents have not been able to obtain high salary revenues. On the contrary, they are in the lowest pay slip category. They haven’t achieved any higher education degree and as a result they aren’t fit to apply for higher salary jobs. In order to complete my education and achieve my goals later, on my field of preference, my grandparents assisted me financially. During the last 7 months in Greece, I tried to support my private lessons and save for my studies by working part- time. I aim to apply to a majority of scholarships, so as to sustain my study fees and be able to finally complete my academic goals. Finally, I am willing to study hard for any scholarship and in addition, get a part-time job in order to financially support myself and my education.