student loans

Description

Hello! My name is Taylor Irelan, and I am an aspiring professional flutist, teacher, and world changer. I have enjoyed sharing my love of music and the arts, and believe in the constant evolution of my craft to make an impact on the world. I created my music series entitled "The Cure for the Common Flute" in 2012, culminating years of practicing, creaiting, and life experience. In this series I have written, commissioned, and premiered new works for various ensembles featuring the flute, all with a strong emphasis on life issues; such as suicide, identity, growth, family, relationships, and other topics. It is my goal as an artist to reclaim the "classical" world for the next generation, and create music that inspires and reaches out to the masses (sometimes without them even realizing they are listening to "classical" music.) The reason I am asking for your help, is because I have been offered a once in a lifetime opportunity to study in London with my biggest idols in the flute world (Ian Clarke, Sarah Newbold, and Philippa Davies) at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. What is even more exciting is that I have been selected for the prestigious program in orchestral studies, where I will be able to sit in and work with members of the London Symphony Orchestra. I went through an audition process along with other flutists from 16 countries around the world to earn this coveted spot. I have been awarded scholarships as well as saved up personal funds for this opportunity, and even though my progress this far has been impressive, I am still short of reaching the funds I need in order to attend. I would love to say I could do this all on my own; however, the student loans I had intended on receiving to pay for the remaining amount, and had been approved for from the United States, were cancelled after a decision from the Department of Education to discontinue any student loans from being dispenced to most foreign institutions. This decision was detrimental, and eliminated my chance to invest in my own future for this amazing opportunity I worked so hard to earn. It has taken a great deal of pride to realize I must reach out for help, but I am determined to not lose this over finances, and I have hope that this dream may still become a reality.