Greetings and welcome to my Campaign
My name is Lynda Olivia Nwabudike and I am a Nigerian Soprano. I recently received an unconditional offer from Trinity Laban Conservatoire on Music and Dance in London to study for a Graduate Diploma in Vocal Performance starting in September 2021.
I aim to raise £17,000 for Tuition fees and £15,000 for travel expenses (Visa and flight ticket), Health Insurance, Accommodation cost and Living expenses by June 30, 2021.
Kindly donate whatever you can. You can also donate via Cheques
Please share my link on your social media platforms to help me spread the word
You can contact me through this email lynda2trinity@gmail.com
Or find me on my socials https://linktr.ee/LyndaOlivia

Course Description.
The Graduate Diploma course offered by Trinity Laban is a one-year academic preparation course for musicians looking to develop their skills through a dedicated programme of study rooted in practice-based activity.
Admission into this course is by competitive auditions and interview. An undergraduate degree, great level of technical competence and fluency appropriate to the course of study are requirements for admission. With an acceptance rate of 9.9%, Trinity Laban has a reputation as one of the most selective and prestigious schools in the UK and Europe. To my delight and joy, I received an admission offer after the audition process.
All applicants are considered for scholarships through a very competitive process, as it is not guaranteed I will be given one, I have no choice but to crowdfund.
Background
I grew up in Adalemo, Sango Ota, Ogun State. I am the second child in a family of seven, I attended Iganmode Grammar School, Ota, one of the best public secondary schools in the State. I later studied Electronic and Electrical Engineering at the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State. My parents have done their best to provide and instill in us their children, good moral values and the importance of hard work.
My Father, a retired Electrical engineer influenced my decision to study Electronic and Electrical Engineering through his exemplary work ethic and character. My Mother’s stoic strength and love as a businesswoman and a homemaker has made me aware of my own strength and depth. She is an Alto singer with a beautiful ethereal voice who sadly didn’t have the opportunity to develop her talent or pursue a career in it. My parents have always believed in me and after realizing music was my passion, they gave me their full and unwavering support.
Growing up in a family with modest income, I didn’t have the luxury of a platform that offered an in-depth knowledge to the world of music, much less hone my talent to sing. In my third year at the University, I stumbled on YouTube videos of Leontyne Price singing Vissi d’arte and Renee Fleming singing Casta Diva, as I watched these incredible performers, I realized this was the kind of music I wanted to sing and who I wanted to be. My heart found a home in classical music. With earnest research I discovered with pride and joy, amazing classical works by Nigerian composers like Fela Sowande, Ayo Oluranti, Ayo Bankole and many others, these discoveries bolstered my confidence to begin my career in classical music.
In 2016, I started taking Voice and Music theory lessons from MUSON as a Basic School Student. I took up teaching Physics and Further mathematics at a Secondary School to pay for the Basic School lessons and exam fees. After getting the Grade 5 theory and practical requirement to audition for MUSON Diploma School in early 2017, I applied and was granted a full scholarship by the MTN Foundation for a two year diploma program at the MUSON Diploma School of Music as a Voice major.
This was a major turning point in my life because only 30 people are selected each year and this was a nod to my dreams. In MUSON, I was privileged to be under the tutelage of Mr. Joseph Oparamanuike (an RCS Alumnus). I have participated in the following Operas:
Performance Role Year
Guillaume Tell by Gretry Le Jeune Tell November 2019
Die Fledermaus by Strauss Adele June 2019
Cosi fan tutte by Mozart Despina February 2019
Don Giovanni by Mozart Chorus Member October 2018
The Yeomen of the Guard by Gilbert and Sullivan Elsie Maynard June 2018
La fille du régiment by Donizetti Chorus Member February 2018

Plans to play the role of Susanna in “Le nozze di Figaro” in 2020 were placed on hold due to COVID. I also played the role of Miriam Makeba in an African Music concert called “Pot of Soup” in 2017 and I have performed in other African music concerts.
QUALIFICATIONS
MUSON Diploma in Vocal Performance (1st Class) 2019
ABRSM Diploma in Vocal Performance 2019
ABRSM Grade 7 Music Theory 2017
BSc. Electronic and Electrical Engineering (2nd Class Upper) 2015
West African Senior School Certificate 2008
RESPONSIBILITIES HELD
Vice President, MUSON Diploma Students Association (MUDISTA) 2018-2019
MUSON Diploma Fellowship (Chorus Leader) 2018-2019
Recitative Instructor (EEE 405) in Elect/Elect Eng. Department 2014
AWARDS, CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE AND SCHOLARSHIPS
Bode Emmanuel Prize for the Best Female Singing Graduate (MUSON Awards) 2019
MTNF/MUSON Scholarship 2017


Certificate of Service (for services provided as Vice President MUDISTA) 2019
Certificate of National Service (NYSC) 2017
AGBAMI Engineering Scholarship for Academic Excellence in OAU 2011-2015
WORK EXPERIENCE
Private Music Theory, Beginner piano and Beginner Voice Tutor 2018 till Present
Soloist and Choral performer 2017 till Present
Music Instructor at KUNBI’s Music Company, Ikoyi, Lagos Sept. 2019 - Oct. 2020
Further Math and Physics Tutor at Oxford Model College,Ota Oct 2016 –May 2017
Electrical Engineer (Intern) at Intercontinental Distillers Ltd. April 2015 – May 2016
I am motivated to study and succeed in Trinity Laban regardless of my financial situation for four reasons
1. I do not believe in the narrative that Nigerians or Africans are not interested in classical music because the facts discredit this narrative. The major impediment is the lack of access to a proper music education. Remarkable schools like The MUSON Diploma School of Music in Lagos excellently train musicians to Diploma level but still, there is much to be covered. While at MUSON, I was privileged to be under the tutelage of a voice teacher who is an Opera Advocate, I got the opportunity to perform some roles and realized how important it was to further my education to be at par with Opera singers around the world.
2. Studying in a conservatoire like Trinity Laban will equip me with the knowledge and technique to enable me to give back. I plan to give regular Masterclasses, Audition tips among others on the pursuance of a career in classical music. Like me, many classical musicians in Nigeria did not have the platform or opportunity to hone their talent from a tender age. I believe music education should be for everyone regardless of their age and background.
Music education is very important in giving children a rounded education, it also improves their learning abilities and social skills. I want to create more platforms that show the importance of classical music training to the young mind especially in public schools. I am an advocate for music education, I work with groups such as The Chamber Music Society of Music and I am the vocal soloist for Le petit orchestra, these groups give free concerts quarterly and we invite both children and adults to enjoy classical music. The reward for these efforts is people approaching us afterwards with an interest in classical music. Through this I have been able to mentor people on where and how to begin.
3. I am very proud of my African and Nigerian classical Music. We have such amazing composers like Fela Sowande, Ayo Oluranti, Ayo Bankole, Akin Euba, Prof. Laz Ekueme and many others. Trinity Laban has a program called Black Culture 365 where black history and culture in the arts are celebrated. I intend to perform many Nigerian and African Art Music to promote our kind of music and our local dialect. I also look forward to performing Nigerian Operas composed in any of our languages.
4. I was able to get this offer majorly because of the scholarship and training I received from the MTNF /MUSON Diploma Program. In the future, I plan to create a foundation that offers grants and scholarships for people from disadvantaged backgrounds who show the passion and the potential for classical music.
I plan to audition and continue my studies with MMus (Masters in Vocal Perf.) after the graduate Diploma course next year so I can get more knowledge and training to share with aspiring musicians and to further my career.