“When you see an opportunity that sort of seems too good to be true, and then you get it, I feel like people come at it with a different kind of energy.”

In this series, we’re highlighting our VERSIONS Alumni. You’ll learn about their transformative journeys with and through the VERSIONS Youth Fellowship.

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When you ask Priviledge about herself, she says, “I’m on the verge of discovering who I am completely. But I know I can’t define myself without involving music anymore.”

Raised in the heart of Zimbabwe, Priviledge always liked music, but it was never a big part of her identity. Until the VERSIONS Youth Fellowship.

When I Grow Up

When she found herself at a crossroads, debating which career path to pursue, Priviledge decided to enter the medical industry. She committed to helping people and doing the “logical” thing but quickly fell into a period of uncertainty. Priviledge struggled to see herself as a doctor, even as she studied. Instead, she felt a calling to explore her true passions and aspirations.

Notably, music.

So, Priviledge left medical school in Ukraine and returned home to focus on cultivating her musical talents and pursuing her passion.

A pivotal moment for Priviledge was when she was at an event and spontaneously performed a song from a deeply emotional space inside her. Witnessing the moving effect her voice had on both herself and the audience, she decided she wanted to seek similar experiences and explore the potential of her art to connect and resonate with others on a profound level.

Initially hesitant to fully embrace music as her destiny, Priviledge struggled with procrastination and apprehension, reluctant to acknowledge its importance in her life.

But the urge wouldn’t go away. The music felt right to Priviledge.

“I feel like music is now my plan A.”

Applying to VERSIONS

Priviledge stumbled upon The VERSIONS Fellowship through BandLab, a platform where musicians create music, collaborate, and engage with each other across the globe. As she read the call for submissions, she explained experiencing an instinctual pull toward the program, a gut feeling that whispered, “I want this.”

Priviledge found herself drawn to the Fellowship’s promise of growth and self-discovery. She wasn’t sure what would come of the program, but she knew she wanted to surprise herself by trying.

With the VERSIONS opportunity on the heels of her exit from med school, it seemed like fate. “I was becoming a person who moves through the fear. I was becoming a person who connects and reaches out and actually tries.”

Priviledge’s acceptance into VERSIONS was a moment of pure elation. Even before receiving the confirmation, she found joy in the act of simply completing her application. It served as a reminder of her capability and reignited a sense of excitement about pursuing her dreams.

Reflecting on her journey, Priviledge says that taking control in pursuing her desires wasn’t always her forte. However, the desire to be part of the program stirred something within her. “I was never that person who is really assertive about going to get things I want. But I remember wanting to get into the program so badly that I had no choice but to try.”

When the news of her acceptance finally arrived, it felt like a validation of her hopes and efforts, leaving her feeling light with the realization that things were falling into place.

The Depth of VERSIONS

VERSIONS is a holistic program that covers not only musical development but also leadership, personal growth and extensive education on colonialism. Priviledge was excited about all aspects of the program but she says she hadn’t anticipated the depth of its impact—especially when it came to learning about the impacts of colonialism.

“When we learned about the cultural genocide of Indigenous peoples in Canada, it weighed heavily on me for weeks.” She struggled to comprehend how groups of people are forced to suffer for so long, but she knew how important it was to learn the truth in order to make a difference.

And while that was a hard pill to swallow, Priviledge shared moments of great highs in the program. She says the level of openness and vulnerability of the Fellows surprised her.

“I never have trouble talking about personal things, but sharing with a group is very different from sharing with one person. It was overwhelming and beautiful at the same time.”

VERSIONS offers participants the space and support to be vulnerable and connect with others. Priviledge says there was a special energy throughout the program and among the Fellows that made it such a safe space to bring their whole selves.

“VERSIONS had a transformative energy. The first person opened up and showed us that they feel safe, and it really is a safe space, and it almost feels like you’re robbing everyone else of their experience if you come into that experience and be disingenuous.”

Through New Eyes

As part of VERSIONS, the VERSIONS Media Team visits each Fellow in person to film a mini-documentary about them. For Priviledge, this was a standout moment of VERSIONS.

Priviledge was excited to welcome the team into her home and share her world after only seeing them through a screen. But what made it truly memorable was when they interviewed her mom. Priviledge was moved by her mother’s unexpected insights, prompting her to see her in a new light and through another person’s perspective.

“She expressed herself in ways that I did not expect her to. Seeing her through another person’s eyes in a way was moving. Some of the questions were things I’d never ask, and her answers were things I never would have heard without the interviews.”

A Feeling of Safety

“There was a feeling of safety, and I think that was the most impactful thing.”

For Priviledge, the most impactful part of the program came from the sense of familial connection. Drawing from her experiences in boarding school, where disciplinary emphasis often overshadowed genuine openness, Priviledge says VERSIONS cultivated a truly supportive culture.

“With VERSIONS, an open door policy really meant an open door policy. It took me a while to adjust to that, to the fact that I could just send a text and be accommodated when I needed it or have a chat with somebody about nothing.”

Creativity Unlocked

Priviledge saw a significant shift in her approach to creativity since joining VERSIONS. She found a newfound willingness to explore and experiment with different ideas, regardless of whether it would be a success or failure. Unlike before, she no longer dismisses new ideas outright but instead embraces them as opportunities for growth and expression.

“I find myself trying more things. I don’t immediately shoot new ideas down. Instead, I think I could actually do it. That’s not something I felt before, and now it’s just a regular part of my day.”

Priviledge’s Community Project

Before VERSIONS, Priviledge wasn’t actively involved in activism or leading initiatives. However, participating in the program sparked her to contemplate social impact and community engagement more deeply and reassess her role and contributions.

As part of the program, Fellows are guided through designing and implementing a social impact project in their communities. For her project, Priviledge initiated a feminine-focused art collective, establishing a safe and accessible space for women to express themselves creatively. Additionally, she organized events to foster collaboration and idea-sharing among participants, furthering her commitment to community engagement and social impact.

A Note to Future Applicants and Fellows

Priviledge emphasized the importance of embracing curiosity and seizing opportunities, particularly for people of colour who often face societal barriers. She highlighted VERSIONS as a program designed specifically for individuals like herself, where there’s no room for self-doubt or hesitation.

“Following your curiosity is important. You think you want a thing? Try it. You don’t know what you might find. You don’t know where it might lead. But more often than not, it will lead you to some very interesting places

A Life Changed

Now an Alumna, Priviledge says VERSIONS created a fundamental shift in her life.

“VERSIONS has made me bold and aware of the fact that there are always opportunities. It’s made me want to try new things. But more than that, it’s made me want to connect with the world. I realize that as long as you are in the world, you are part of the world. And engaging will make your experiences better.”

The Fellowship has not only helped her to connect with music, but to connect with the world and serve as a guide on her next journey.