Absolutely beautiful story. I'm inspired by the organic way your business grew. Thank you for sharing this wonderful story.

Hi Ioana, what an inspiring story! And what a lovely video! You are sooooooo talented - through your music skills and hard work, you will enrichen so many lives! The Harmony Music Studio will be a wonderful asset for our community! It is so uplifting to read your story and see your video about your dream in this time of economic crisis. Music brings so much joy! Hearing my twins play the piano makes my heart sing! Funny that you wanted a real job and had a real job all along! Good luck, Ioana!

This is a beautifull Story.....Thank you!

Claudia Medina

Beautifull!!!! Thank you Claudia

I LOVED the video! I'm excited to see what God is going to do through your business.=)

Ioana, your story is so inspiring! The video was very confident and touching. God has truely blessed you and your business. I pray you get this grant, because you deserve it!

Congratulations, Ioana, on making it into the top 50! You and your story are so inspiring! In your video it is so touching to see all those children who are blessed by you and your business. God Bless you Ioana, you deserve this more than anyone else out there.

I actually know of Ioana through hearing her perform on Sunday mornings at our church. On occasion she'll do a solo with a vocalist and her style is inspiring and soothing. It's neat to learn more about her business and dreams. She is the real deal and I hope everyone votes for her. Having played the piano most of my life, I am a believer in what she has done and seeks to do.

Wonderful story and very inspiring. You truly reach the children and make a big difference in their lives. Cheers!

This personal account of the life of someone truly in love with music and eager to pass that love on to another generation is moving. It seems clear that she will achieve her dreams and we'll all benefit from her effort.

This is a VERY inspiring story. I really hope you are able to open your studio SOON!!! I wish you the very best. I am friends with "MikeHelpingstine".

Being a music teacher myself, you make me wanna apply for a position at your project! When can we talk? :) I hope this works out for you.

Yay! I loved the video-so inspiring!!! With music education and exploration almost extinct in the school systems, a musical haven of this nature is now a necessity in our community. Thanks for your heart, Ioana!!!

I'm so impressed by your dedication to stick to pursuing a vision you believe in. I truly hope the funding comes through for your business!! Perhaps I will take a lesson! ;)

Awesome story! It is inspiring to see people who's passions turn into thier careers. I wish you the best......

Visionary! Miss Ioana Sherman is a devoted teacher--she held a workshop for her students at our church on Sunday in a hands-on, engaging and enlightening manner. She brings many people in to her vision and renovating a house for a complete music academy is something I could support as a church musician with a doctoral degree in music. Also, the work to be done on the renovations could be completed with the prize money she's seeking. Well done!

What an inspiring story for kids. You bring a solid perspective to kids that anything is possible.

Knowning Ioana for several years I've observed her pattern of vision and growth. I was personally touched & blessed by the gifts, talents & skills Ioana was able to bring to the table, filling in as my piano accompanist. She is an astounding pro, owning amazing multi-tasking abilities. I'm in awe of the whole package Ioana is able to bring to the world. She's developed in herself all the things which she inspires in others. Funds shouldn't restrict her vision for children & the community. VOTE!

Wonderful video. Great appeal. I wish the best of luck to you and your continued success.

A vote for Mrs. Iona is a vote for all those kids learning the wonder of music. I have such neat visions of that music studio when its all done. If I had $25,000 I would give it to you myself!

Beautiful story Ioana.

You are the best piano teacher ever!

Way to go Ioana! I am so excited for you!!!!!!! You are so determined and inspiring!

Congrats Ioana on your accomplishments!

Ioana My sister Kizito sent me your video which I watched with pleasure to see the American spirit still so much alive. Wonderful to be sharing your talent and making a living at the same time. My father used to always say if you make your hobby your work you will be a happy person. I hope you suceed and make a lot of other people happy too. Wonderful ! You have my support and my Vote. Hope to meet you some day here in Thailand where we live. Welcome to www.thailand-rooms-by-the-beach.com Lela

Go Ioana

Ioana, your enthusiasm and energy is so infectious,that I find myself thinking---"how could I be part of this?" It is also strangely familiar. since I too, came from another country, neighboring yours, and it was the perseverance and hard work and the belief that it is "in me", that made it possible, other than the generosity of this country.

Best of luckhttp://community.intuit.com/contests/bsCKCOy68qllvkab8P4pmk#

Eszter

Ioana, it is so cool to see how God is using your gifts and talents to minister to others in this very practical way. I pray that God will continue to bless you. Great video!!! Pastor Tom Thomazin

God has truly blessed you. I have seen the gift He has given you and I hope this will help. I would vote for you anytime!

Ioana, you are amazing!!! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you! I am sure you will get the grant! :)

Its always encouraging to see someone who pursues their passions rather than buckling to the norms and expectations of society. This world needs more people like you, courageous enough to take the chances and chase hard after their dreams. Thank you for the inspirational story. Good luck in the final round!

Ioana, awesome story! With how crazy the world is, music is something that can truely inspire and create happiness!

Beatiful Story. I hope and pray you keep providing music for our Children.

Thank you.

Filippo

Great program. Wish you all the best of luck!!

Ioana's studio will be a real asset to our community. I am a 72 year old tenor still active in my church choir. Music opens the heart to the world's need for peace and harmony. God bless her efforts.

You have my vote(s)-all three. Great story!

hi ioana , i wanna say that your story is really awsome, and i really admire your ambition for a real job.

i feel lucky to have a friend with such a briliant mind...

lots of love

miss u a lot

A fantastic idea...potentially life-changing for so many people! A real back-to-basics community-oriented program/business!

Very inspiring.

I have no doubt your studio would be a great success.

This video was an amazing portrayal of the passion that Ioana has for music and children. I have had the privilege of knowing her for several years and she genuinely desires to share her talents and knowledge with those that may otherwise not have the opportunity. What a great benefit to the community! Please pass this onto your friends and family. Praying for your success Ioana!

wonderful inspiring story. we look forward to watching your business grow. You are a terrific piano teacher for kids and adults.

This is beautiful Ioana! We met over a year ago when we came down to see Karman and Caleb from Michigan. Your spirit left a lasting impression on me that is evident in this video. The blessing is that you have found your passion through sharng your gifts with your students, and recognize that is your calling. You have incredible talent, and sharing that is a testimony to your grandmother and family who helped nurture it and you. Good Luck! Mary Hamlin

Music is not Ioana's only gift. She has an incredible ability to work with young people. She is so patient and doesn't talk down to them. They hear her sincerety and respond to it. This ability to connect with young students, to encourage and inspire them is a powerful gift. One that benefits my child, but also our community and the music world. I have no doubt there are many students who might have given up music in frustration if not for her influence.

Great, this encourages all who believe in a dream

Really hope that you get rewarded for all your efforts!

yay ioana!

Well done, Ioana -- I'm rooting for you!

As a past music teacher myself, I understand how hard it can be to get a music business off the ground, so I wish you the best of luck in your goals but I can see you already have the dedication and experience to make it a reality!

What a great video. Ioana - you are an inspiration

wonderful story from a terrific teacher!

This as Wonderful opportunity for many children who may not have this chance to increase knowledge AND opportunities for those in THEIR future!! I vote for this young lady to WIN!!! I am a 64 year old grandmother and had I pursued my passion I would have been doing this but did not even know that there were ways to accomplish my dreams for myself and others. I totally support this. Please, Please, grant her this. God BLESS!!!

I actually go to newhope and I think your story is awesome. I have a full service flooring company here in Durham so please let me know if you need anything in terms of carpet, tile, vinyl, hardwood or refinishing. I will do everything at my cost so you can take what would have been my mark-up and use that money in other areas of your business. Please give me a call at 286-5570 and ask for Damon Frazee if you need anything. God Bless!!!!!

I loved this video, it is very inspiring. Music is an important part of everybody's lives. So i would really like to see her win. Ioana wil be in my prayers

Thank you for caring for our children.

This is a really beautiful and nice story, this inspires me to start learning music again for myself. I have never heard such an touching story. I cannot believe that you are not #1 because you really deserve to win. You have a real cause and a real thing you could go for. Not something like make-up or something else. I think music is more needed than anything else in this world!

Fabulous story, and inspiring work! You are very talented and thanks for sharing your wonderful story with all of us! Good luck, Ioana.

Lovely to see youngsters learning to be creative and share your lifelong passion!

I hope you will consider offering classes to students who can not afford to pay through scholarships, etc.

Beautiful !

Ioana, it made me smile- especially the kids at the end. They obviously believe in you!

I am so proud of you, as your sister I know how much music has been a part of your life and I know you will reach your dreams

Ioana, good job on this video! It was very inspiring! =]

Hi Ioana, this is Luc and Wioleta, hope you still remember us ;-) what a fantastic story, we pray that you will achieve your goals, you deserve it! Your story is so encouraging, all the best. Love you and miss you all.

Luc, Luke Junior and Wioleta

Great story!!! We pray that you will achieve your goals, you deserve it ;-) all the best.

Thank you for sharing this beautiful story. Very inspiring and I wish you all the luck in the world!!!

awesome my friend!!

This is a brilliant vision for studio design, I'll help with the construction as much as I can. And if you ever need a hand with the guitar lessons, just let me know!

PLEASE VOTE FOR MS. IOANA! <3

Great video! It is so good to see you continuing on the path God selected for you! I hope you win! :)

After watching you video and knowing you personally, I can verify that you truly care about your students! I do hope that you win this prize money so that you can build the Harmony Music Studio. The music students in Chapel Hill will be the winners because they have such a talented and caring teacher!

THanks for having the guts to approach total strangers and tell your story! I enjoyed it and hope you'll win!

Great story - so inspiring!!

Great story - so inspiring!!

Hola Joana,

I hope you win since you deserve it. I have known you for many years now and seen how great you have become. I know that is you don't win, GOD will find a way to help you. I will pray that you will get the grant necessary to make your dreams come true and finally get that real job. We miss you dearly here in Riverside, CA

Thumbs up, Ioana! You deserve to win the first prize! We want to see you open your own music school: 'Harmony Music Studio' in September 2009! We see what your basement looks like now, and are eager to see the transformation into a music studio once it's ready! You need to buy all those music instruments for your music school as well... The grant will make it possible for you, so I join all those great kids, your music students, cheering you on at the end of your video: VOTE FOR MS. IOANA!!! :D

What a fantastic story and so well captured!

What a great story! Ioana deserves a chance to really take her calling to the next level. She is an inspiration to everyone who works hard to start their own business, and to make a difference in people's lives at the same time. Thank you, thank you!

Great video and I wish you the best of luck!

Robert Kar

Ioana, good luck with making your dream come true!! It is so nice to work with children and music. I hope you win!! Good luck, Tineke. (Friend of Kizito)

Ioana also makes beautiful music as part of the Worship Arts ministry at our church. Her story is inspirational and I can't wait to see her school open so that she can work with more children. Good Luck!

I loved this video! The kids are hard to resist, they made me laugh so much!

Quite inspiring and wonderful story. Reaching children through music is a wonderful gift. Thank you!

good luck, great job.....

beautiful story, may the dream come true.

Beautiful story. May all your dreams of helping others come true. ;)

Amazing story! People with this kind of passion for seeking to inspire and promote education in the arts deserve to have the tools they need to reach their goals. Tell everyone you can to vote and let's make this a reality!

This is a truly inspirational story. I wish Ms. Ioana all the best of luck! She deserves it! The settup needs some help, as she aforementioned--in a funny way.

You are a inspiration to others,This is a great story and I wish you the best of luck. May God be with you as you follow your dreams.

I have been one of the parents with a child on the waiting list to take lessons with Ioana! By having a studio in her home she would be able to reach students like my daughter that love playing piano. My vote is for Ioana!

Ioana, here in North Carolina we have cheered the Tarheels of UNC: "Go Tarheels Go!" and they became #1. Now we are all cheering for you, "GO IOANA GO!', to become # 1 too! Your music studio is so close to schools like Culbreth MS and Carrboro HS in Chapel Hill, where lots of talented kids can easily come to take music lessons (piano, clarinet, saxofoon, guitar) to give them a music education that will stay with them for life! This music school will benefit our community so much! Kids plz vote!

Many thanks for sharing your talents as you always do.

I vote for Ms. Ioana!!! Yay Jesus!! This is an awesome thing you are doing. I pray you win!

I'm so excited for you! Great job on the video! I can't wait to see your beautiful studio!

Hello Ioana. Your love for music and dreams are most inspiring and deserve all the attention and help you need to fulfill them. I too am in pursuit of a dream through music and realize what great persistence and hard work it takes to accomplish this. God is working miracles through you.

I wish you continued success!.

Good luck!!!

I am impressed to hear that you even give free lessons to kids whose parents lost their job in this economic crisis, and that you continue to do so during this contest! (and you did not even mention that!)

Your video is awesome, made completely by yourself, very professional! You are a determined person with exemplary dedication. You deserve to win! And when you win and can open that studio in September you will make lots of kids and parents, that are now waiting, very happy!

Hi Ioana...Great story! We love you in the OC!

Wonderful way to make music.

Piet

It is an everlasting pleasure for children to learn and enjoy any kind of music. Thanks to help them.

Ioana awesome video. Alison and I were impressed with how your vision has grown over the last two years since we have seen you. We are so excited to see the completed project. Who was that contruction guy in your house?

Josh and Alison

Amazing! My mother is a musician and music teacher, and I am so happy that the power of music is being appreciated! VOTE FOR IOANA!

Took piano lessons for a long time, definitely a supporter. Good luck!

Very inspirational.

Praying for you. I hope you win.

Great story! Music stays with one for a lifetime. "teach your children well'

i like your music.

Hi Ioana,

Your passion for music and teaching children comes through "forte"!

I hope your income crescendos and that your development section proceeds with energy and excitement!

Aviva

I think that Ioana's passion for her work and these children is inspiring. Give her the gift to live her passion!

i loved this video!! good luck ioana. i hope you win! :)

Ioana- Congrats on realizing your dream and sharing it with others! Very inspiring!

For Samuel a Wii!

Beautiful story, Ioana. The space is awesome and I hope you open the studio soon!

ZOMG!

great story. Good luck! Kashida

You are have been truly blessed and have found a way to bless others. I wish you the best of luck!

Wow, that was great! You can definitely use the money for your business!

My sister is a Music teacher, so I can definitely appreciate your passion for reaching others through your craft! Keep on inspiring others through your Music.

Gonzalezbab

This is a great story! I hope it wins.

Good Luck ! from a sister finalist. If it isn't me _ I would love for it to be for a business that impacts the lives adn creativity of children

are you single ^_^

I hope proactive and kind people like this lady run the world someday. Please help her change the world.

Good luck Ioana! Great video.

Ioana, how wonderful that you will be playing on the piano at New Hope today! I know you are a talented Fulbright scholar, but have not yet heard you play until now, so am very much looking forward to listening to your performance - which will be together with others as well as solo. Your advice at the end of your video has inspired me so much and is so true... You live your dream and have given me new hope to live mine... Thanks, Ioana, you ARE the best! I believe in you! You are a winner!!

What a nice story! I loved the kids at the end. It shows that you've really touched alot of people. I hope you win so you can continue your good work, and expand it so that you can reach more people! Good luck!

this is a wonderful project but I do not believe it is one that can hit the masses because there is a restriction of location. Please consider other small businesses that have an opportunity to reach a much larger scall of the population in the US. I think what she is doing is wonderful.

Good Luck!

Great! Like Joseph Campbell says, "Follow your bliss." And this young woman is doing that. Good luck!

Hi...I learned about your cause while hanging out and playing guitar at Weaver Street with some friends...music has brought so much to my life, as I'm sure it has to yours and your students. I wish you the best!

I'm sorry to be moving from Carrboro before Ioana opens her music school. Wehad looked for both piano and guitar classes for our young kids and didn't find anything suitable in Carrboro. We hope you win the first prize so you can open a school and meet the needs of so many Carrboro parents and their kids!

Good luck!!!

Very Very inspiring story!

I have never heard someone with such an passion and enthousiasm for music as you have!

If someone would deserve a price it would be you.

This has inspired me to also go in the music buisness and maybe start a little company for myself.

Who knows? Well good luck and i wish you best!

Truly touching story!

When i watched this i couldn't believe you left romania so joung and became so good just with the help of 1 friend.

If we would all be like the person who gave you the piano then this would be a beautiful place!

Full of music and joy

You are truly talented!

And believe me i dont say that much

great! good luck hope you win!

Very inspiring and beautiful!

Seeing this video i wished i also went in the music buisness

I can see the joy on the kids faces and the best part was the end!

Without you they wouldve been lost and i think your purpose for the money is great!

If i could go back in time i would also go in the music buisness like yours !

I never have seen anything like this in my life!

Thank you for opening up my eyes.

Before i have seen this, i never really cared for music

But seeing you with such passion and emotion

It really touched me

So thank you, i hope you win with all my heart

Music is the one thing in life that we really need

Not just listening to music, but learning how to make music

And i know that with your help you could help many more

So i want you to win this!

Because this is the one thing we need!

Finally someone came up with a real purpose!

Those little and taller kids on the end were great

They really need you

And you need to win

I know you can help them to become great like you are

So i think you should help them and you need our help doing it

Good luck! You deserve the help!

Wonderful story.

Fantastic video! Ioana, I am so proud to know you and to hear of your dreams. I have great confidence that your business will become all that you want it to be.

Jenny Bradley

-

Ioana is very inspirational, and very good for the children. I have taught for 14 years at the college level and Ioana deserves serious consideration! Paul M. Neebe

Good people great project always important to support the arts~great video very informative

I am so grateful for all of the support ; this has been such an enriching experience in connecting with my community and discovering so many amazing people. Thank you to those who helped me share my vision with everyone who was prepared to listen, watch the video, and vote! We have worked so hard for the last two weeks to personally get all the votes and it has been a great achievement. All the feedback has brought me to an even stronger realization of the need for music instruction as it diminishing in the schools. Thanks for the great suggestions, offers of help, and working so hard to help me reach my dream. Best of luck to everyone in the contest!

it is a beutyful story.... felicitari....

Thank you again to EVERYONE who voted!! Thanks for all the emails, facebook, and twitter inquiries and for checking this website for the results. I should hear back from Intuit by tomorrow, June 4th, or Friday at the latest. I will be sure to post the results here and I think you can also check out their site: http://smallbusiness.intuit.com/ Keep your fingers crossed!

I realized I have posted the results everywhere but here! It has been quite a busy few days to say the least! I am so excited that Harmony Music Studio will soon be a reality. Thank you to ever single person who contributed. Thank you to Curtis for helping me do the final editing of the video. Thank you to Kizito, my God sent angel, who has campaigned for this great cause with me for two weeks straight! There is no way I could have won this without you!

Ioana, you were a 'godsend angel' for me too! You have inspired me so much! Your advice : 'Focus on your strengths and abilities and the right opportunities will find you. Don't limit the diverse ways in which you can reach your dreams and goals.' is so true for me! Campaigning for and together with you, I discovered my talent - through my 'enthusiasm and energy' - of winning support for a good cause I believe in. I will start my own (non profit) business: http://kizitogoodcause.wordpress.com/

Ioana, you were a 'godsend angel' for me too! You have inspired me so much! Your advice : 'Focus on your strengths and abilities and the right opportunities will find you. Don't limit the diverse ways in which you can reach your dreams and goals.' is so true for me! Campaigning for and together with you, I discovered my talent - through my 'enthusiasm and energy' - of winning support for a good cause I believe in. I will start my own (non profit) business: http://kizitogoodcause.wordpress.com/

Hi Iona, I'm the guy who was chatting with you about Twitter. Congrats! :-)

If you need help in the future to promote your business, please feel free to drop me a line - shadabf at gmail dot com

Hi Ioana, i'm the guy who you met at open eye. we talked about twitter etc. congratualtions on your win! if you need help in marketing your business in the future, please feel free to drop me a line shadabf at gmail dot com cheers!

If by any chance the marketing expert reads this, who I approached in Open Eye, asking him to vote for Ioana, who predicted Ioana would win the contest when I showed him the article in the Herald Sun and who made an announcement to get everybodies attention for me in the cafe, and who said I was a 'natural' in marketing and should appear before his class, please contact me - I lost the slip of paper on which you wrote the name 'David ...' and a sentence: 'action/interaction brings about change'.

I'm so excited that you won! Wow, you are an inspiration! It was wonderful to meet you that day in the Student Union! I'd love to receive more info about your project: hflorenc@email.unc.edu. God bless you! Lizzie