Katerina Dimitrova is a student in the 12th grade at Nikola Yonkov Vaptsarov High School in Shumen.

She has had a deep love for music since she was a little girl. She is engaged in pop and jazz singing, plays the ukulele, produces and writes her own songs, and recently plays the piano. She has experience as part of a band and jazz duo, participating in competitions and placing in the top 3 places. Despite her anxiety about making it in this profession, she is convinced that this is her true passion and believes the risk is worth it. That is why she decided to apply to her dream university - the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts - one of the best music colleges in the world. Many of her musical idols have graduated from there and she believes this is her best chance to start a career in the music industry. She wants to make the "little Katie" in her proud.

To accomplish this goal, Cathy spends months preparing for the audition - learning music theory, preparing songs, practicing improvisation. The audition and interview go well, but then comes the long wait.

On March 31, breathless, Katerina opens the result letter. Her eyes immediately rest on the word she has been waiting for - "Accepted!". Thus a dream comes true. Or so she thinks at first.

The cost of a year of tuition at Berklee is approximately $82,000. This includes:

Direct costs:

Tuition (per semester): $26,220

Comprehensive tuition (per semester): $780

Health insurance (per year): $2,402

Residence hall and meals (per semester): $10,620

Total for two semesters: $78,422

Indirect costs (estimated):

Textbooks and supplies: $1,240

Personal expenses: $2,000

Transportation: $1,500

Total indirect costs: $4,740

Kathy receives a stipend of $22,200, an amount that is unfortunately not enough since vocalists at Berklee rarely receive full stipends. The balance of $60,000 remains unaffordable for her and her family.

So Katerina is looking for support. She is aware that the amount is significant, but hopes that her story and efforts will inspire people with the ability and desire to help her take the next step in her journey.

Her achievements include the fact that in Grade 10 she was the only student out of 55 500 who took the National External Examination in Bulgarian Language and Literature to receive the maximum score of 100 points. In 2024, she was accepted into the highly selective Fulbright Bulgaria Opportunity Funds scholarship program, designed to support talented young people from across the country who are hindered by financial barriers. Most recently, Katerina also won first place at the Balkan Voices 2025 International Oratorical Competition.

Outside of school she is heavily involved in youth activities as part of the City Student Parliament. She organizes career guidance trainings, national debate competitions, Model United Nations simulations and other events aimed at building a cohesive and active youth community in the city of Shumen. In addition, Kathy has completed numerous leadership academies around the country and has been actively involved in projects related to ecology, innovation and youth engagement. Throughout her school career, Katherine has completed the school year with a Distinguished 6.00.

Katerina is a musician, songwriter and active youth with a big dream - to study at the world-renowned Berklee College of Music. She has already been accepted, but the financial barrier of $60,000 is preventing her from taking the next step. Every support, no matter the amount, brings Kathy closer to a dream come true. Together, let's give Katherine a chance to make us world famous!

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!