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Giving to UVic

Gheana's pathway

Person standing on a shaded path surrounded by trees and greenery.

Music and science may be an unusual mix, but UVic student Gheana Valencia loves both subjects so much she’s juggling two degrees at once. More than just financial support, donor-funded awards gave her confidence in her choices and the drive to pursue a career that draws on both her passions—music therapy.

Gheana Valencia was one week into her undergraduate degree at UVic when she realized she’d made a mistake. What followed was a difficult conversation with her family about changing courses. They were working hard to support Gheana to become a doctor. Medicine had seemed like a safer career choice, but Gheana’s true passion was music.

It’s not always easy to follow your heart. Gheana auditioned for the music education program, specializing in voice, and started a new journey. Through the Faculty of Fine Arts, Gheana was introduced to the generosity of donors, and it gave her the boost she needed.

"Receiving donor-funded awards showed me that there are people who value music education. And more importantly, they believe I can build something from this."

A singer standing on stage performing at a recital beside a piano and students seated on stage.
Gheana performing the Phillip T. Young Recital Hall this past spring.

Music education for the public good

By supporting music education students like her, Gheana feels donors are showing public support for the arts. Gheana credits programming in elementary school for cultivating her passion for music.

"Music education plays a huge role in our society today, especially with the rise of AI. It gives a lot of opportunities for children to experiment and play. It’s a great outlet for creativity and I think that’s paramount to the development of children and adolescents as well.”

Gheana was disheartened to see her high school dealing with budget cuts every year. “Music education has really been a vital part of my life and to see that dwindle or be reduced is frustrating. Seeing this support in university gives me hope that there are people who have the generosity and the vision of keeping these programs in place for these kids.”

Another twist in the tale

A university graduate in cap and gown holding flowers and smiling.

Gheana soon realized she also missed studying science! She enquired about adding a second major, only to discover that music education and science are impossible to combine into one degree. In her third year, she officially started a second, concurrent degree in biopsychology. She graduated with a bachelor’s in music education in June 2026 but it will take her two more years to complete her bachelor’s in science.

“I think being a musician makes me a better science student and being a scientist makes me a better musician,” she says. “Reflecting on the first few years of university where I didn’t really know what to do, I realized I needed both halves to be complete.”

Music as therapy

Gheana’s now looking to a career where both halves can be merged into one: neurologic music therapy. It’s one way she can use music to help others, as it has helped her.

“Music is the only way I can fully express myself,” she says. “There are just feelings I can’t really explain, and being able to use music as a vessel for huge emotions has been a great catharsis for me and a vital part of how I regulate myself.”

Working on two degrees and working part-time made for a gruelling schedule. She credits her family, who immigrated to Canada from the Philippines and “have worked so hard to get me to where I am”, as being her motivation. She also credits supportive donors who have shown her that there’s more than one pathway to success in education.

“I think receiving awards and receiving the support…it's like a sign to keep going… you're on the right path. And I know that might sound cliché, but sometimes when you're in the thick of it and you don't really know what you're doing and what it's for, it’s like ‘wow! Someone cares about what I do, and someone cares if I succeed’.”

Pathways to student success

No two journeys are alike, but the UVicPathways to Student Success Fund supports students wherever they are on their path and brings them closer to achieving their dreams and goals.

A gift to the UVic Pathways to Student Success Fund provides direct financial support for students through scholarships, bursaries and awards.

Donate