I, too, am a single mother in Michigan with an extremely musically talented daughter. I tortured myself every summer wanting to send her to Interlochen or Blue Lakes. Impossible. Not only are those places ridiculously expensive, I've had professionals tell me they are so competitive for the kids, they lose the fun. Sweety, you do what you can. If you are lucky, as I am, your daughter will want YOU, not things. As a parent it breaks our heart when we can't give them things we think they need or we want to give them. I would have loved to have been able to continue her lessons at FIM, but I just couldn't afford it. Yes, I saw it as a failure, but I did the best I could and she knows that. (On a note that has nothing to do with the main part of your post, check out MPulse at University of Michigan. They offer a summer program with an amazing music and theater program. Remember the things in life that important aren't things. I know all too well about life closing in....I was in tears most of the day today. But we go on because we have to. You can do it, you seem to have the skill set needed, you just need the encouragement. So consider this encouragement...You can do it!