About Me
My name is Olivia Alfson-Steadman and I am a Senior here at Portland State studying Vocal Performance. Throughout my life I have relied on music as an outlet and sought out to my communities within it as my refuge. I have always felt a gravitational pull towards song to be able to have an outlet for my emotions but it wasn't always just the musical component. My teachers and mentors really molded me into not only the musician but the person I am today. My goal as a teacher is to lift my student up and give them the space to explore themselves both spiritually and musically. Although I wish I had enough time and money to be able to provide free lessons for every student in need. As a business owner, I also need to think of how I can pay my bills. This class has allowed me to brainstorm and make my ideas come to life for my journey of providing kids with free lessons. Beyond this class, I will continue to fundraise and find fun ways to raise money for these kids and their musical education. This has been such a humbling and fulfilling experience and I am so grateful for the support I have gotten from our professor and my fellow classmates to pursue this journey.
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Goals and intentions
Communication Inquiry and Critical Thinking Diversity, Equity and Social Justice Ethics, Agency and Community
While working on my project I tried my best to prioritize these 4 main categories of goals and intentions in my work. This class gave me many different opportunities to experiment my ways of communication. Specifically, I gave presentations audibly and visually both about this work and other projects that we also had to multi-task with. I've learned that my best way of communication is visually. Being able to see examples and discussions allows my brain to connect more with the work being presented to me. My inquiry and critical thinking skills were also put to the test in trying to figure out best fundraising techniques and distribution ideas of these scholarships. I have and continue to try my best with Diversity, Equity and Social Justice in my fundraising and teaching. I still have a long road ahead of me and it is of my upmost importance to be able to equitably disperse these opportunities to my community and students. I feel this whole project has been based off of my own Ethics, Agency and Community. I am just working on spreading that and gaining more awareness on the matter.
Inital Ideas
Within the 10 weeks of our spring term, I was able to put together and schedule 2 big fundraising ideas:
Go fund me Recital The current goal is to try and fundraise enough money to put 2 students through a full year of lessons. That would cost about $4000. So far with just the go fund me we have almost raised enough money for one student to participate in one term (3 months). Amazing work in such a short amount of time. Next, there has been plans to collaborate with another local studio in the area who has a big following. We are going to do a conjoined recital and have it act as a fundraiser. All donations will go towards fundraising for both of our studios. This is expected to happen in the Fall of 2022. |
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Impact on Students
Eva Daltoso |
Madison Crouse |
"I had a great experience taking lessons from you! I learned a lot about supporting my sound and how my entire body impacts my voice. Receiving free lessons was such a gift and a great introduction to what one on one classical and musical theater voice training would be like. These lessons were something fun to look forward to and a way to track my progress as a singer and gain confidence in myself!"
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"This scholarship will impact my musical journey by giving me the opportunity to be taught in a individual level so I can improve my specific goals and get specific training for my voice type. Music and singing has always been a big part of my life, I play multiple instruments and have had over 10 years of singing experience. Music has helped my mental health and physical well-being as a stress reliever as well as something to be able to help release any negativity. I've known of Mrs. Steadman for a long time, I went to middle school and high school with her little sister Emma. However this year I finally had the opportunity to work with her and I couldn't be happier to have received this opportunity. I appreciate how Mrs. Steadman keeps a focused room while also being flexible and open minded. Every interaction with her has always been positive and pleasant and I can't wait to work with her more."
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Future Plans
- Continue to fundraise via gofundme & social media
- Go through with fundraising recital in fall
- Reach out to local schools choir and theater program and churches about donations and potential scholarship opportunities
- Band together with local teachers to encourage to offer in their studios for students in need