Guitarist chases her dream

Brittany Ryan hopes to become a professional guitarist for a pop artist like Rihanna. Photo / Richard Robinson

Young musician accepted into US music school, but first she has to find $70,000.

A young guitarist with dreams of playing for Katy Perry or Rihanna is a step closer to realising that dream after being accepted into a top American music school.

But before Brittany Ryan can jump on a plane and start perfecting her craft she has to raise $70,000 to cover tuition and living costs.

"I was just really thankful that I got in but also kind of overwhelmed at the same time because now I know that I need to get the funds or else I can't go," the 23-year-old said.

She was inspired to learn the guitar from an unlikely source - a Steve Martin movie. "I was watching this kids' movie called Cheaper By the Dozen and it had this classical guitar piece in it called Classical Gas.

"Ever since I heard that song I just wanted to learn it," she said.

Her father taught her the first part of the song and then she learned the rest on her own.

Eight years later, the former pupil of KingsWay School in Silverdale has been accepted into the Los Angeles College of Music - which takes less than half of all applicants.

She received an email last week telling her of the good news, after applying only this month.

Ms Ryan has since moved on from classical guitar to lead electric guitar. She dreams of being a professional guitarist for an international pop star.

Her guitar heroes include John Mayer and Nuno Bettencourt, who tours with Rihanna.

The course, which runs for just under two years, will cost $45,000 in fees, plus about $15,000 a year in living costs. She has some savings already, meaning she needs around $70,000 for the two years.

Ms Ryan has four brothers and two sisters, and while her family is fully supportive of her dream, they cannot fully support her financially.

To hit the lofty fundraising goal Ms Ryan has set up a givealittle.co.nz page. She has also walked up the Hibiscus Coast dropping flyers in mailboxes and has started a firewood fundraiser with her brother, all while working full-time at Fuji Xerox doing data entry.

"Honestly, it would just be the biggest opportunity for me. Guitar is all I want to do, so going there would just be like the best thing ever, it would change my life," she said.

Ms Ryan has been playing guitar since she was 15.

Her former band, Arklow, played at the Parachute Music Festival in Hamilton several times, but it broke up last year when two members moved to Australia, and she decided to focus on perfecting her own playing.

Donations can be made to her cause here.