Comments

I sympathize heartily. The cost of living is too high! Do you have health insurance? That's very expensive. I've been looking at week-long summer music camps, and they cost about $750 plus transportation. There's no way I can go. Poverty sucks. I'm surprised at the bus fare. Back in the 80s I think I remember the deal being go anyplace in the U.S. for $25. That's about all it's worth unless they've cleaned it up a lot:) I'd definitely come up with the extra $100 to fly. You could busk. Avoid the metro station at morning rush. You can make special deals with Amtrak if it isn't full. Could be the same with the bus. Sort of like show up and try to make a deal. Greyhound used to have round trips anywhere in the country for $98 (twenty years ago!). I did cross country trips from San Diego back to NC, from NC to SD, from NC to Maine, from Cleveland to St Louis. Some programs let you audit for less $. Perhaps you could do that as a start. The $$ issue doesn't get easier as you get older (kids, houses, etc). When you start teaching, schools will sometimes pay or help pay for the training. I find it so ironic that ASTA (of which I have been a member for years) keeps complaining of the lack of interest in young people willing to enter the string music education field, yet holds a yearly convention that is prohibitive in cost.

It is tough for professionals to swing the convention cost, (or any type of string teacher seminar), but I think it is worse for students. Students have limited job opportunities due to time constraints, but are also looking at instrument purchase, pricey summer music festivals, and steep tuition $$$.

Also, Greyhound ain't what she used to be. I used to ride Louisville-Cincinnati and back, and it was dirt cheap. Not anymore.

Also, I am sorry about your medical bills. I can sympathize...and the hospital might be willing to put you on a scheduled payment plan.