Stories, Feedback, and Testimonies
The following are a number of stories, testimonies, and feedback
as to how the arts have impact participants, audiences,
and artists themselves
at workshops, presentations and performances.
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”It’s an obvious complete transformation for some. At first, it was just friends about the same age, but now young and old alike gather and connect with the beats. It’s so beautiful to watch and even feel the difference in the mood at the end of the hour. It’s an undeniable difference that those beats make in raising the vibration in the room by the end of our time together. – AWP artist
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I don’t know why but whenever I play my music I just feel better. I can be in the worse mood but when I play music I get lost in the sound and forget, if only for awhile, the reason I was so mad or sad. I might never be a pro but I’ll always know I have my music on a hard day. – Ray age 18
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From the bottom of my heart, Thank you for what you do. This really helps me feel better about who I am as a person, knowing I can encourage and share my gifts with others without any expectations of anything in return aside from their creativity and joy. I grew up with some not-so-encouraging brothers, and this helps ease the pain of some uncomfortably early childhood experiences – Artist Sarah C.
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These activities are fantastic and just what we need to share with our Foster families to try at home. The arts come through to connect new families once again. Thanks for the ideas! – Nick, Dept of Child Services
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Every single one of the children participated in the songs and danced, and even all of our staff alongside them – seeing everyone engaged was truly a wonderful experience. We are thankful to AWP for making time for our camp and look forward to their next visit! – A.M. Brightwood CC
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As shy as they come, he hardly spoke, and when he did, only when prompted, it was so few words that were so quiet there was no hope for understanding, resulting in having to ask him to repeat himself, making his shyness even worse. We immediately lost Rose to drama club, so with only us, he and I decided to hang out in the art room with art club and to create a project we’ll market and sell. Still like pulling teeth to communicate my enthusiasm looming over his painful shyness, I was sure he too would find another club, but overtime he stuck it out and actually showed interest, requesting art supplies for an idea (or maybe even a few. I could never hear what he was saying). Then, it’s the first visit after holiday break, and there sat Jose, a totally different person, vocal, enthusiastic, non-stop talking, who quickly began to share with me fifteen music tracks he had created and produced using the small mobile recording unit he found in his parents’ storage that he googled how to use. I was transfixed and astonished over 1. his completely opposite transformed personality, 2. how great these musical compositions were, and 3. that he found and figured out how to produce electronically completed and creative assortments of lo-fi grooves
There it was, Right before my eyes, what a natural he was at this and how this discovery transformed him from painfully shy to D.J. Rasher.
So we started talk artrprenueralship discussing how to market, and get on the map.
We spoke about collaborating together samples and grooves from some of my own original music, becoming an example of how the arts connect in unity contrasting worlds in age and cultures.
We spoke about the legalities involved in sampling others’ work and assured him with a joke;
“Give me a cut when you’re rich and famous and never forget me.”
after which he replied; “ I could never forget you. You are the key to my success.” – C.M.M.
Listen to DJ Rasher: https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgzQfBQDcqRrHFcRFfpJgtBQBZjnF
Dear Arts with a Purpose,
As you are aware my life has taken a spiral turn downward over the past few years and I had to sell my bass due to financial woes. It’s from the bottom of my heart that I thank you so very much for providing me with another instrument. The very possibility of owning a bass again seemed like a lost dream until Arts with a Purpose stepped in. Playing music is such a large part of my life, it’s both therapeutic and cathartic, and your donation will allow me to earn a living again as well as enjoy my passion. I can never thank Arts with a Purpose enough for your generosity and desire to give to the community.
With everlasting appreciation – J.S.
A full-time caregiver to her mother she had played for years for fun and even professionally until she had no choice but to pawn her precious instrument that had even been signed by a couple of national players! She will once again know the healing power of music in her life! – Musician, Daughter G.V.
Yesterday was amazing! Students that I never thought would participate, DID and it was so wonderful! – 5th grade
Never have I seen him respond to anything like this. His non verbal autism always prohibits him from really being a part of the group but the music and movement is the way he can be involved and accepted! I’ll never forget this day! – Cory’s Mom at the Bates Hendricks Neighborhood Festival
Thank you for all that you have brought to our school at Raymond Brandes Elementary. Your energy is amazing as you have shared your passion of music and art with out students. Our students are enriched beyond measure, and they will remember this experience as a capstone for their final year here. You truly are a gem. Keep singing, dancing, performing as so many children need you! – In Teaching, Brenda Shafer
I don’t know if you remember me. I am K****** **********’s mom. Unfortunately, she relapsed and we are back at Simon cancer center. I just wanted to let you know how much you helped me deal with my nightmare. You helped distract me from my darkness. What you do matters, please remember that. – Ronald McDonald house Mother
This absolutely made my day!!!! Love, Love, Love entertaining and singing with these folks! Arts With A Purpose rocks! – AWP artist S.W.H.
So I have to say I never know what to expect on these Adult Day Care shows but it always makes me remember why I started playing in the first place! – AWP artists Darren Vincent, profesional pianist
I am giving you a HUGE virtual hug right now. You have been an inspiration to me from the moment I met you. You taught me to not be afraid to be myself—no matter how “different” or unusual myself happened to be. You taught me how to better love everyone around me. You believed in me when sometimes I didn’t believe in myself. You may not KNOW you did these things but you DID and for that I shall forever be grateful. I am crying now….Thank you for the gift of being YOURSELF because in being yourself you helped me to know MYSELF better. – Mother & Grandmother M.K.
They get patted down on the way in.
Nobody over 18 and all wearing their best defensive mask coming into the room not knowing what to expect.
I risk peeking occasionally just to see if they are watching me while I play my original groove tunes on my iridescent seven-string electric violin.
We go through the schpiel of how it works, how an acoustic violin works throqing in a little science and history on the side. Then we talk business. We discuss entrepreneurship and self-reliance and how the process of a self-managed full-time musician can be applied to all entrepreneurial possibilities available to anyone with the imagination to see a vision and to seek out resources.
Then…I pass out the violins.
One each for each one to try as a group.
Nobody is able to do it. Awkward and equally challenged in front of one another, all of a sudden…
Laughter, Vulnerability and DISTRACTION!
A total transformation into a much lighter vibe as we look at each other directly in the eyes
having a reciprocal conversation with all barriers broken.
Then,
violins are put away.
They line up.
They get patted down
and walk wearing a new mask. – AWP artist CM