Cape songstress Jodi Fredericks has been accepted to study at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in New York.
The private music school is the largest independent contemporary music college in the world and has produced numerous Grammy winners.
The singer said studying at Berklee had always been one of her goals, and being accepted was still surreal.
“I found the Master’s programme while searching for other programmes online. When I saw it, I knew this was the dream,” she said.
“I was so shocked yet simultaneously grateful to find out I got into the course,” she added.
Fredericks submitted her application in January and was informed that she would need to participate in a virtual interview in February.
“That interview was so stressful, I actually thought I failed it but I was invited for a second interview and I managed to ace that one,” she said.
The 26-year-old singer received a message of her acceptance in April. Fredericks was granted a referral to commence her academic year in September next year due to a lack of funding.
The master’s degree at Berklee College costs $53 000, coupled with accommodation and general costs of living, the academic year will cost roughly $70 000, which comes to just over R1.2 million.
Fredericks started a BackaBuddy page to raise funds over the next year and will continue performing for the same purpose.
“I plan to apply for jobs and perform in New York, which will assist in covering a portion of the total I require,” she said.
Fredericks completing her Bachelor of Music and Honours degree in 2019 at UCT’s South African College of Music.
The same year that she completed her studies she was also crowned the winner of the Grand West Open Mic Jazz singing competition.
Fredericks went on to study song-writing for one year at the Cape Music Institute. She currently works full-time as a performing and recording artist, teacher and songwriter in Cape Town.
Her teaching jobs as a vocal and general music lecturer at the Campus of Performing Arts is something she said she always wanted to pursue.
“The institution aims to have industry-ready artists and the curriculum is developed around that. My main focus is singing and I am grateful to play a role in moulding the talents of my students.
“I fell in love with teaching after doing it out of necessity. I enjoy the process of teaching and I started loving it afterwards,” she said.
In February, a local film “Late Bloomer” was released on the small screen and Fredericks was asked to create a single for the soundtrack, titled Move.
This year she has travelled and performed in Mumbai, France, Sweden and Amsterdam, an experience she described as amazing, given how she saw first-hand how the international market reacted to her music.
“It was surreal to see my shows sold out in countries where I have never been to before.
“It was pleasantly overwhelming to see people appreciating the culture. It was a refreshing experience as the appreciation of culture is not the same everywhere.
“There is a deep appreciation for music as something that holds value and is worthy of support abroad,” she said.
Since she can recall, she has always been involved in music, whether it was direct involvement or just being in the room.
“I don’t recall my first gig performing live but I sang in church all the time when I was younger,” she said.
Jazz vocalist and lecturer, Nomfundo Xaluva-Dyantyis had nothing but praise for her former student.
“It is here where we developed a strong artistic connection, underpinned by a mentor-mentee relationship.
“Jodi is an astute vocalist and performer who pays unequivocal attention to detail in her craft.
“I count her as one of the most profoundly talented students I have encountered in my teaching career thus far,” she said.
To support Fredericks in raising funds, one can either donate money via her BackaBuddy page or attend one of her live performances.
She is scheduled to perform at Cafe Roux in Noordhoek, on November 3 and tickets are available on Quicket.