This songbird from Athlone has been offered a chance to learn from the best in American showbiz, but needs a little help getting there.
The 18-year-old has received a partial scholarship at the world renowned New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts, but still needs R300k to get there.
Hannah Kerchhoff, aka Hannah Kay SA, would love to complete her Associate Degree Programme in Musical Theatre and is set to start her course in August next year.
The aspiring singer, songwriter, composer and figure skater says she has been doing gigs to raise money and is appealing for further assistance.
Her love affair with music started at the age of 10 when she fell in love with singing and playing the flute.
She later taught herself to play the piano.
“The scholarship is only partial, but it’s a dream come true. I always said I want to study abroad and now I finally have the opportunity,” she says.
“The full amount needed is R400k, but so far we have managed to make R100k. I have also been doing gigs and my latest gig was last week at the Radisson Red Hotel.”
The Hannah Kay SA Band performs at various events, including weddings, fairs, jazz concerts, churches, birthday parties and corporate functions.
She hopes she can take the US by storm and have her name shining in bright lights on Broadway.
“Going on this trip would mean the world to me. New York is one of the art capitals of the world. I hope to perform on Broadway and continue to write music,” the teen says.
Hannah Kerchhoff, 18. Picture: Supplied
Her proud mother, Lynne Kerchhoff, 43, says they are working hard and that it would be heartbreaking for them if they failed to raise the money.
“Hannah has missed out on a few opportunities due to lack of funding, so we have to do this.
“I am so excited for her. She works really hard and I can only wish for her dreams to come true,” Lynne says.
If you’d like to help Hannah, contact her mother on 072 997 1238
or find her on the BackaBuddy crowdfunding page.