<p>You sound like a wonderful person. What you have accomplished is amazing. </p>
<p>You have done everything you have done on your own steam, and autonomous motivation is important.</p>
<p>A music teacher at our school told the students about a study of orchestral musicians. They did not test super high in aptitude, but motivation was off the charts. In other words, hard work is what got them there, more than original talent. Not that you aren’t talented: the point is that your hard work may get you far. (And prodigies sometimes quit in late teens)</p>
<p>My only warning is that many conservatories do not always give a lot of financial aid. Some do, however. Just make sure you include that consideration as you get your hopes up, if finances are an issue.</p>