Hello everyone. I am Malinda Voell, I am an alumna of the primavera and I am currently studying at flute performance at Temple with Mimi Stillman. I have been involved in a multitude of programs by accident. I’m not just a primavera alumna, but also an alumna of The Philadelphia Orchestra Fellowship, All city programs, Temple Prep, Settlement, Project440, PMAY and PYO. I say this happened by accident because initially I was never aware of how many programs were in Philadelphia to support me in their own ways, and I honestly never would have been aware of these programs without the help of Primavera. In fact, most of the other programs hadn’t already been created or would have even noticed me until my fast musical improvement I experienced after joining Primavera. Primavera saw my potential far before anyone else ever had. Before Primavera, flute was just something I had brought home in 6 th grade when my band director in Virginia had told me my hands were “way too small” to play bassoon. I didn’t know that flute was going to be the thing that got me into college, give me the ability to represent the Latino community in a field with little representation, and even introduce me to my best friend. I had no idea that I could inspire people beyond classical music, and venture into modeling for shoots with my instrument, or play in a track for a friend in contemporary music. Through the flute, I learned discipline and perseverance through practice, and how to keep myself organized and accountable while handling both school and rehearsals. All of these benefits of character came as side effects of loving to play the flute. I think that these are characteristics that Rachel and Kenny had seen in me when I came in to my audition and attempted to play Syrinx (which I had no business playing at the time at all). I wasn’t technically advanced, but I clearly loved playing the music even though I didn’t understand it fully. I believe, Kenny and Rachel saw this drive and love for music in me. A month later I found out that I had been accepted and I didn’t know how much Primavera covered until I had a meeting with them and realized. Wow. They cover everything. I hadn’t known a flute could cost more than 1,000 or that (pricey!) summer camps were important, or that lessons could cost up to $200. I had just known I loved playing flute and that it was too expensive for my family to support. As someone who had seen and still sees her family experience financial problems, it is without a doubt that Primavera’s financial support improved my odds in becoming successful as a musician. However, it is the people behind the money who truly changed me, not only as a musician but as a person. Primavera is not just financially supporting their students. They are showing them how to take advantage of opportunities. They are telling them it is possible. They are creating a support system. They don’t just care about their students improving musically, but also as people. I knew that whenever I had lost hope in music, felt discouraged, or needed inspiration I could ask them; and I have multiple times. I have asked for their advice more as an alumna than I ever did as a student, and they have helped every time from writing recommendations, to letting me play mock auditions for them to buying me coffee when looking very tired after rehearsals. Another thing I must add is that without Primavera, I probably wouldn’t have met my best friend, Marquise. He is another artist they accepted the same year as me who is super annoying and irritating, but beyond that, compassionate, driven, hardworking, and talented. Marquise and I had met prior to Primavera but never really had a reason to talk to. When we found out that we were both artists and that I was transferring to his school we started to hang out more and get to know each other. Over the years of rehearsals, summer camps, and now college we have realized that there aren’t as many people like us in our classical music, far beyond me being a Latin woman and him being a black man. Marquise and I have a truly unique bond that people definitely notice when we are with and without our instruments. Him and I still talk about Primavera often, and view Kenny and Rachel as far more than money signs. We see them as mentors and family. I have been fortunate enough to have had many great mentors from my high school teachers, to Philadelphia orchestra members, to Private teachers, but there is something different about Rachel and Kenny. I mentioned earlier that that primavera saw potential in more before anyone else had. Kenny and Rachel not only saw my potential before anyone, but they personally helped me see it. I used to feel out of place in music. Like everything was by chance and that Id be lucky to have a career in music. They have shown me that everything is in my hands. And I can get it by being a hard worker and good person. It is through example that they show us how to be good people and musicians. Thank you.