Operation Graduation…Little Apple to Berklee!

Hi everyone, my name is Aliyah, and I achieved the improbable and made history in The Little Apple (Manhattan, KS) -- acceptance to Berklee College of Music Online!

Click here to watch my personal statement for admission to Berklee.

I could use your help making the improbable more possible. Though I have been awarded financial aid, there are still many expenses not yet covered for my time at Berklee. Here are the major expenses I still need to cover:

-tuition
-school supply items (computer & study supplies)
-books
-software
-hardware/studio equipment
-travel between Manhattan to Boston, Massachusetts for on-site conferences and workshops for hands-on application
-off-campus living and survival items
-program-required internship expenses

You can see the cost of attendance here . I am setting my goal at $10,000 in hopes of covering the remaining tuition that my financial aid doesn't cover, as well as the other out-of-pocket expenses listed above.

I was admitted to Berklee College of Music Online's 5-Year B.P.S. Electronic Music Production and Sound Design Degree program in June of 2014. Because of financial reasons, it wasn't until the 2015-2016 school year that I began attendance.

This donated computer -- a mid 2007 Apple iMac -- allowed me to begin my studies at Berklee in 2015. In 2018, I was just barely able to receive my first certification in Pro Tools software -- Pro Tools 11 was being released as this class was beginning (my computer was compatible with 10, but not 11) and this was going to be the last class allowed to use 10 to get through this certification -- but I succeeded!

My computer would serve me well for school until halfway through the 2017-2018 school year. Browser compatibility issues, performance decline, and software installation issues surfaced, seemingly all at once. I withdrew from school in spring of 2018, vowing to return in the fall after acquiring up-to-date equipment and software.

I have been working to raise money and earn a living as a minister of music and worship leader...

as a music performer and sound engineer (despite my outdated equipment) in my local community...

(313 Magazine, Summer 2017)

as a music educator...

and even seasonally as a youth boxing coach!

I was the recipient of an award in 2018 from Pilgrim Baptist Church in The Little Apple for my service in music ministry. I also drive for Uber, Lyft, Grubhub, Postmates and Doordash when I am not involved with music or coaching!

It is now 2019 and I'm still short of my goal - and halfway through the program - but I'm hoping to get a little help from my friends, community, or anyone out there who may be listening. Overcoming this financial obstacle and returning to school by Summer 2019 (July 1) would mean turning my dreams of finishing school, becoming a professional music producer or performer, and starting a music school for youth into a reality, and allowing me to focus on my studies while continuing to be there for my community!

Thanks for your help.

Jeremiah 29:11

P.S. If you'd like to hear a live performance clip, click here

To view my Berklee student profile, click here