A Dunedin-based opera singer and busker is within reach of her goal of attending a prestigious music course in Australia.
But she only has two days left to raise the remaining $700.
Soprano Rosel Labone is fundraising via a 'Boosted' campaign to attend the International Art Song Academy at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts in Perth.
She received a personal invitation to audition, and was subsequently selected from hundreds of applicants throughout Australia, New Zealand and Asia.
Over the past two weeks, she has raised more than $600 singing Bach, Mozart, Puccini and Strauss on the streets of Dunedin and at the Otago Farmers Market to raise money for Perth - an exercise she says is "excellent preparation for a career in music."
Miss Labone says the course is a "once is a lifetime opportunity".
"I'm tremendously excited. The opportunity to work with Graham Johnson, a pianist with an illustrious career, and to really get inside these songs by composers Wolf and Verdi, is too good to miss."
Miss Labone says working with Metropolitan Opera performer tenor Dennis O'Neill could be a "big stepping stone" in her career.
"This course could open up a lot of doors for me."
Now her campaign is 70% funded, Miss Labone says it's "starting to feel more real".
"But I've still got to push over that line to reach 100% - if I don't achieve 100% funding in the remaining time, unfortunately I don't receive any of the money.
"This next bit is crucial."
Miss Labone says she has been overwhelmed by the generosity displayed by her 'Boosted' donors.
'I've had support from friends, peers, and colleagues from all over the world, which has been quite moving."
She has a particular passion for sacred music, and credits her faith in God for keeping her singing during "the tough times."
• You can donate to her campaign online: http://www.boosted.org.nz/projects/help-me-sing-my-way-to-perth
