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Help Mia Attend Berlin Opera Academy! Benefit Concert

"Hello there! I am Mia Lapingcao, a senior at Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA. I’m hoping to raise $3500 in order to attend the Berlin Opera Academy’s Summer Program (July 12 to August 17).

The program costs 5050€ (excluding room and board). I've been lucky to earn a scholarship of 1000€ from BOA, which brought my tuition down to 4050€. I was also grateful to receive a $2000 (~1800€) grant. I have about $2500 left in tuition and $1000 in room and board fees for the time I would be staying there. These costs do not include food or transportation.

The five-week intensive program allows emerging artists like myself the opportunity to prepare for Germany's opera industry, the biggest in Europe, and also audition for agents and managers in the field. On top of being cast as La Fée (The Fairy Godmother) in Cendrillon at the Berlin Opera Academy, I have the opportunity to take German Language Classes, participate in Vocal Masterclasses and Career Workshops with professionals in the field, and explore Berlin during my time in this program!

As a full-time college student currently working three jobs and taking on singing performances, I am truly grateful for the aid I've already received. I've been working hard to finance this singing opportunity on top of my living expenses in Bellingham, enough that I've booked a flight to Europe. I also plan to host 1 or 2 recitals to fundraise for this trip. However, my income is not enough for me to pay tuition on my own. The Berlin Opera Academy's summer program will also be happening during a transition period for me as I will be entering graduate school in August to pursue my Master's degree at The University of Nevada Las Vegas.

This trip would be a unique and incredible experience where I’d not only get to explore a new country and culture but also get to further my education as a singer. I’d get to fully immerse myself within a leading role and experience what it’s like to work as an opera singer full time. I’d get to continue working on my instrument with the guidance of professionals already in the field and figure out on my own exactly what kind of work I need to do to bring a character to life on the stage for an audience. It will be my second major role in a production and first time being in a new country completely independent.

I've loved to sing for as long as I can remember, and I loved it so much that I decided I wanted to do it full time. Throughout my time at Western, I've been an active member of the music department, singing in both advanced choral ensembles, co-directing Western’s competitive mixed a cappella pop ensemble, and entering various competitions. This past year alone, I performed as a soprano soloist with the Western Symphony Orchestra and was named one of the three winners of the 2025 WWU Concerto Competition (performance is linked on this page). I've had an amazing time building up my confidence and experience as a performer while finishing my Bachelors in Vocal Performance. I'm so excited to continue pursuing music in graduate school!

Any financial contributions to this fundraiser would be in support of my education and professional development as a singer. All donations to this GoFundMe will go to my tuition. No donation is too small - any help is deeply appreciated! Thank you so much for taking the time to read this.

-Mia Lapingcao"