Testimonials
What our participants are saying...
Women Rock:
"I am writing to inform you how much the Women Rock program has changed my life for the better. Before I took the program, I was a broken woman, spiritually, as I endured relentless prejudice treatment and, unfortunately, carried those hurtful actions/words throughout my life. This hateful attitude towards me did a number to my psyche where I actually began to believe what others were telling me, to the point where I didn’t think I was worth anything. At 17, I entered a pageant, and with low-self esteem, I failed miserably in one category - music. I really love the song by Bette Midler, “The Rose”. However, when the time came to sing, I choked. I remember how embarrassed and humiliated I felt because I forgot the words. I cried after that show. Fast forward to me at the age of 49. I faced my fear when I entered the doors of the theatre to take a 13-week program (with Women Rock). I remember how nervous and scared I felt. When I was learning the elements of how to sing, play the drums, and strum a guitar, I felt a surge of accomplishment, my confidence was raising, and I felt so very proud of myself. In fact, at one point, during my training, I burst into tears telling Geetha that I wished the program had been offered at the residential schools so my people would not have had to go through years of torment."
Taninli Wright, participant in Women Rock (subsequently, Taninli sang at our year end show, all smiles, and in full voice, for her long-awaited, unrequited performance of "The Rose")
"Before going to prison, I knew nothing about guitar playing. I learned a few things from beginner guitar teacher there and had written 28 songs. I then formed a band and played 4 shows in the institution. We were good, but after the Women Rock organization came I took my songwriting to the next level. They also taught me different strumming techniques, how to transpose my songs from acoustic to ele3ctric guitar, and even recorded a 3 song demo. I got all of this out of only 2 sessions! I would recommend these awesome women to anyone just starting out or more advanced musicians. What they taught me was priceless knowledge. Now I'm out starting a new band and in the process of recording my first single. Thanks for the time you spent with me Laura and Leah."
Natasha, Women Rock participant from Fraser Valley Institution
"The thing that I find most valuable about Women Rock is the fact that it is sort of the anti-class for music. There is no stern teacher yelling at you, telling you what to do. People are allowed to explore and express themselves to their heart's content, without the fear of being wrong, or shot down, or put down. So, natural play occurs and learning occurs, and through that, people really improve themselves.."
Geetha Subramaynam, Carnegie Centre Women Downtown Vancouver Women Rock participant
"I had always thought that maybe I wasn't talented, couldn't hold a tune, or keep a beat, but I learned that actually I CAN do those things !!! So naturally that improved my confidence !!!"
Anna Larrain, Women Rock participant
Voice to Voice:
"What Voice to Voice has done for me is open many, mnay doors. Doors to reading my poetry. And every time that I read somewhere I get invited to read somewhere else. Just this afternoon, it led to reading at COOP radio. And as a result, I've been invited to other poetry gatherings. So, it's just created numbers of possibilities, opened doors, given me confidence and basically launched me as a writer in Vancouver."
Gilles Cyrenne, writer from Thursdays Writing Collective and Voice to Voice participant
"It's skid row poetry. It's where I've been. It's what I've done. And it's a big achievement. A sense of surrendering. Keep on being on. Life somtimes throws you a lifesaver. and maye writing is part of my lifesaver."
Henry Doyle, writer from Thursdays Writing Collective and Voice to Voice participant, quote from 2015 interview on CBC National Radio program, The Current
Lullaby Project :
This was by far one of the best experiences of my life, to be able to share initimate moments with Liam. He undestood the song & how it was about my love for him, th moment I started practicing it while rocking hi to sleep. That was the beginning of him saying "ai ni" (I love you) to me very often. :) Now, he says it to me a million times a day & I melt every time!!
And to be able to include friends & family (at our sharing celebration) made it even more special, especially hearing how proud & pleasantly surprised they were at how the song turned out. My dad is an avid 'karaoke kin' & he was blown away. I've actually never sun in public, so it was a challenge & a confidence booster for sure. The experience was a dream come true & definitely a bucket list item fulfilled.
Karen, Lullaby Projct 2019 participant
At our final performance, 'Cheryl' (who used a psuedonym to protect her anonymity from her batterer), proudly claimed that “while there is too much that our often-biased legal system might take from me, my music and the bond it creates with my child is something no one can take away. “
‘Cheryl’, Lullaby Project 2017 participant
Binners Symphony/Street Beats Community Band:
It was a fantastic learning experience. The composition was great. The weekly preparations were in bite size portions. The professional guidance was solid & responsive. The level of commitment by all the participants, young & old, was extraordinary. It was great that the two youngest members were allowed to create the first rhythm that we built on. I love working with youth. I also enjoyed helping others in my group to develop the skills they needed to perform this music. I liked the way the score had specifics that we needed to perform, but as well there were parts that we could interpret & improvise on. I also liked creating an encore piece with the other Street Beats members. It was an honour to perform such a strong musical work for ISCM World New Music Days 2017. It was a real team effort. Everyone was professional. We also had a lot of fun!
Ian Migicovsky, two-year member of Street Beats community band
Something Collective:
"I learned that it is important not to extinguish your flames because people are telling you what to do. The creativity is going to help you some day in the world. And one moment you are going to need that creativity to get you through some problems and choices."
Sanjana Ananth Krishnan, Southeast Vancouver students participant, on lessons learned from Trash Talk Recycled music and puppetry project
Captain Creative:
"Captain Creative was a wonderful performance which captured our students and inspired our teachers. Dust off those old projectors and re-use them with shadow puppetry and story writing. Our students (late primary and intermediates) were fully engaged and really enjoyed the end of the show activity where they were able to wear costumes and, act and interact with Laura and her team. Watching this show reminded us yet once again the importance of the arts in our every day lives - something we truly need to be mindful of, in the busyness of today to day lives."
Monika Saft, Principal of Nootka Primary School, where Captain Creative was presented in Spring 2015.
"Your performance and command of the our (very young) audience was outstanding. The staging was really fun for the kids to see and be part of. I am sure it was the 1st time for them
to experience this type of art. Your messaging throughout the play showed alot of caring and mindfulness which is something that we all strive to value every day."
Willa Kriebel, PAC member, and mother of student from Queen Elizabeth Annex, where Captain Creative was presented in Spring 2015.
"Captain Creative was highly engaging for all of our students. It made a lasting impression on many students as they were inspired to create and make up their own plays many days later!."
Valerie Stevenson, Princal of Eagle Harbour Montessori School in West Vancouver, where Captain Creative was presented in Winter 2015.
Video Testimonials
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