Meet Chloe Cooper, one of Project 440’s alumni! Our interview highlights her experience in our programs and what she is doing now.
Q: What instrument do you play? Do you have interests that lie outside of music?
I play the flute, but outside of music I'm a photographer (you can check out my work on my Instagram, @chloecpictures!). I recently got into gardening and I have so far planted mint and lavender. I love to cook and I'm always trying new recipes, and I collect crystals.
Q: How did you hear about and get involved with Project 440? What programs were you in?
I heard about Project 440 through a friend (Marquise) and the first program I joined was Doing Good in 2018, which was their inaugural year. That was the jumping off point for me to join Instruments for Success, the Youth Advisory Council, and speak at multiple P440's salons.
Q: How did those program(s) help you grow?
Starting with Doing Good, I learned how to be an entrepreneur by learning how to make budgets, elevator pitches, and business models to successfully actualize my idea into an organization, which I am proud to say myself and my business partner Claire did by creating Generation Music. Instruments for Success taught me about the college application process, which I desperately needed because it wasn't explained as in-depth at my high school. Cigus (The College Fairy) was an amazing teacher and helped me every step of the way. He helped me understand the FAFSA application and using the Common App since it was my first time dealing with those websites and even looked over any essays I had to write for the colleges I was applying to. I learned how to appeal my financial aid awards, what to look for when picking colleges, and what college admission officers look for in an application. The Youth Advisory Council taught me what a working board looked like and how it functioned. We all voted to appoint people to various roles in the council but we all still had a voice to share our thoughts and opinions. With the Youth Advisory Council, we planned multiple Young Persons Night at the Orchestra for high school students to be able to meet members of the Philadelphia Orchestra and attend their concert.
Q: What are you doing now? (school, working, etc.)
I'm currently studying Music Education at the University of Tampa. I joined Kappa Kappa Psi, which is a national honorary band fraternity in November of 2019, and this semester I became the committee chair for the fundraising committee. Although I'm in Florida, I'm still an active member in planning and coordinating events for Generation Music with Claire.
Q: If there is one thing you could tell high school students about college and the experience, what would it be?
1.) Give yourself time and preparation when it comes to finishing your application, preparing for auditions, and actually applying.
2.) You gain a lot of free time with your class schedule so take that time to de-stress and do something for yourself!
3.) This is the perfect time to join clubs, if you're in a new city you can explore and really acclimate yourself, and most importantly make new friends!
4.) Make sure that you pick a major that you enjoy and are good at. Sometimes the major you do pick will not be easy all the time but in the end, your reward will pay off greatly.
