Joy:

You have brought great joy to me…
Brandon

I love the attitude you have; it really lifted our spirits up.
Gwen

Thank you for making every second I spent with you enjoyable. Hopefully we can meet again.
Michael

Working with you was such a privilege and a joy.
Adrian

In rehearsal:

It was awesome getting to be surrounded with such positivity and happiness for two days.
Holly

When I practice, I still use a lot of the techniques you taught us in warming up and playing, and your techniques are applicable to any and all songs that we play.
Drew

It was unbelievable how efficient in work you were…
Cole

I learned a lot, like the technical definition of ‘trill’, and that it’s difficult to play the saxophone while laughing.
Annalese

You really made band fun and you never failed to bring a smile to everyone’s faces.
Anna

I can’t believe how much of a difference there was when we sat up straight.
Danielle

You took apart the song, piece by piece and put it back together again to create something magical.
Elana

It was really cool when you brought the percussionists to the front of the room to listen to the band play the scales. It was really cool to have a different perspective on the band…
Mary Ann

Musicianship:

I really liked how you made us laugh while we were doing things that could have been boring but necessary – like scales…
Maddie

Throughout my time working with you… you’ve shown me what it is like to bring the music to life and to be able to tell your story.
Isaiah

I appreciate the many things you told us like “notes have hips” and “you have to connect the dots to tell a story”. Thank you so much for all you have done.
Karlee

Thank you for helping us realise that we aren’t just playing music, but we are the composer’s biographers.
Michael

I like music now.
Chelsea

Learning:

My experience with you was unique over any teacher I’ve had. You didn’t sugar-coat and you know how to have fun whilst teaching us valuable lessons.
Alyssa

You never got mad, you understood that we were young musicians and we needed work, not stress.
Clancy

You brought energy and critical thinking, and I loved every second of it… you even managed to make scales interesting and musical!
Trent

You brought a certain energy to the room that made waking at 6.30 am worth it. The band and I greatly appreciate your enthusiasm while teaching us lessons that not only pertain to music, but to life in general.
Emma

I had a great time listening to your comments (both the funny and the genuinely honest ones) and will remember my experience with you fondly…
Megan

You are the bomb. You are the best clinician I’ve ever had, especially when it comes to fun. I’m glad you could make it… your mark is left here.
Tyler

I enjoyed the way you made all of us think with the questions you asked and how you were able to keep the environment of the room light while still pushing us to learn.
Grace

I personally like the “Circle of Life” diagram; it gave me a better perspective of music.
Erin

Composing:

Recently, I had attempted to transfer a piece I wrote for piano to… band. I hit a bump in the road… you inspired me to start writing again.
Allyson

You’re an inspiration to me. I have begun to write a piece of my own!
Alek

Your rehearsals made me start thinking about composing… because I have lots of ideas running around my head.
Brian

I write music also… and you have taught me to tell a story, not just write notes.
Andy

Every lesson is an English lesson!

We found your sarcasm extremely amusing. Your insouciant personality made our lives more enjoyable. We were captivated by your bombastic musical ability.
Savannah and Kayla

I apologise for any grammatical or spelling mistakes in this or other letters from the band…
Max

Life:

I appreciated it when you sat next to me. It always amazes me when something that seems like such a small action makes a big impact on someone’s day.
Bella

Thank you for teaching me to have confidence in my playing and to not doubt myself.
Landry

Before I get any further – thank you! It has been an amazing couple of days… You taught me to envision what the composer was feeling or doing… to represent the composer as best as I can… you made me laugh so much with your quick hitting jokes… you taught me to be more respectful.
Tony

The best advice you gave me was: “You can be confident in other people but you will not succeed of you are not confident in yourself”. That really hit me, and opened my eyes.
Bailey

I plan on always yawning with my hand over my mouth – just so you know.
Emily

I wish you were able to stay longer and make us more experienced, but I know you have a family back home. I give you, and them, the best wishes.
McKinley

Do toilets actually flush in reverse – only kidding…
Zach

If you’re ever stop by… again, please bless us by saying “Crikey” in your thickest Australian accent.
Troy