Reviews
PEOPLE ARE TALKING!
"I cannot even being to thank you for the FANTASTIC performance at Tubman Elementary last Friday! It was beyond wonderful! All of the students, teachers, and volunteers enjoyed an engaging and interactive performance – especially all of the singing and dancing! I hope you enjoyed working with the Tubman students as much as they loved participating in your performance! Again, I greatly appreciate everything you both did to ensure this was a great experience for the students!"
Rachael Moser, Readers Are Leaders/StoryTime Program Coordinator
Everybody Wins! DC
"Muchas gracias. Como siempre todos quedaron encantados con su presentación. La verdad es que siempre hay algo nuevo y divertido. Muchas gracias por invitarme a bailar. No en muchas ocasiones puedo hacerlo y me encanta, más si es de mi tierra. Todos los profes, y el de música en especial les encanto tu voz tan melodiosa, musical y que de verdad atrapa. Hasta pronto y que Dios les bendiga."
"Thank you very much. As usual, everybody was delighted with your presentation. The truth is that there is always something new and fun. Thank you for inviting me to dance. I don’t have too many opportunities to do it and I love doing so, especially if it is from my homeland. All the teachers, especially the music teacher, love your voice, so melodious and musical that really draws you in. Until next time and God bless you."
Ana M. Lizarraga, World Languages Department Chair
Wakefield School, The Plains, VA 20198
"Just wanted you to know that Mr. Winter, Ms. Curry and several teachers went out of their way at Barnsley's International Night on Saturday to tell me how much they and their students enjoyed your performance on Friday. They all felt you were engaging, and the music and information was lively and unique. I will be happy to let other Cultural Arts Coordinators know how much everyone at Barnsley enjoyed your program. Thank you so very much!"
Molly Natchipolsky, PTA Chair
Lucy Barnsley Elementary School
"I just wanted to say what a pleasure it was to meet you. I thoroughly enjoyed your wonderful performance of Vamos al Carnaval. My son, who is in kindergarten, said that it was 'Amazing!' We he arrived home that day he said that the music was 'out of a dream.' I thought you would enjoy the direct quotes from my appreciative 5-year-old. Thank you for such a fun program."
Antoinette B. Doherty, PTA Chair
Candlewood Elementary School
"Cantare was a fantastic show! Ms. Esquivel was wonderful with the children, and they were engaged, and responded very well to her. They learned
a lot, and many took pride in showing that they were from the countries she taught about. They sang and danced, and enjoyed the instruments she showed them. Ms. Esquivel was easy to work with and very professional. Thank you! "
Rock Creek Valley ES
"This program was a first for our school in that the artists from Argentina were enjoyed by all. The musical selections were very engaging, informative, and fun. We will definitely invite them back again!"
"Artistic Quality - Excellent"
"Educational Value- Excellent"
"Audience/Participant Engagement – Excellent"
Dawn Smith
Cross Country Elementary Middle School
"Thank you for participating again in this year ARTStravaganza! The kids are always talking about how much they enjoy your workshops. We look forward to having you back next year!"
Rebecca Gehlhoff, Music Teacher
St. Stephens and St. Agnes School
"Thank you and Dani so much for the beautiful performances today! It was such a perfect way to kick off our International Education Week and a wonderful opportunity for our students learn about Latin American customs and music. It was also so clear that students from the region were so proud of their heritage and happy to see it showcased in such a fun and interactive way! "
Yumiko Locussol, 5th Grade Math and Science Teacher
School Without Walls at Francis Stevens
"The performance went wonderfully. They were the highlight of the show. Please, let’s do this again. I’d be happy to hear about anyone coming up that was their caliber."
Megan Carberry, Assistant Producer
ArtWorks This Week, Maryland Public Television
"This program was wonderful. It was enjoyed by both the students and the faculty. The principal and music teacher in particular were very impressed. Cantaré brought an impressive number of instruments and taught a little geography, Spanish and music history while keeping the children entertained. Here are some comments from the staff: 'They really got the students singing and dancing.' 'We need more educational programs like this.' 'It means so much to our students to experience an introduction to other cultures in a playful and friendly environment.'"
Susan Dymek,
Tulip Grove ES, Bowie MD
"Wonderful program. Very entertaining. High audience participation. I loved the information about the different musical traditions and instruments."
Juana Brown, Principal
Sacred Heart School, Washington DC
"Middle-schoolers are a difficult group to reach. But today the 6th and 7th graders could not hold back and were totally engaged in the performance. This is both educational and entertaining."
Sue Ellen MacDonald, GT Specialist
Oakland Mills MS, Columbia MD
"Thank you for the tremendous job Cantaré did with the music demonstration at our assembly on International Day. Your workshop presentation on the history of the music and the instruments, as well as the performance of the songs was outstanding, as evidenced by the close attentiveness of our students to the program. You were a critical part of the success of this special day and we deeply appreciate your coming, especially on such short notice."
Barbara N. Bitner, Principal
Middle School, Georgetown Day School, Washington, DC
"I don't know if you remember your trip to Thurmont or not, but I remember your performance! Most of my students remembered it as well. Thanks for being an inspiration to me and my students. I will be lobbying to get you to come back next year!"
David J. Stellitano, Social Studies Teacher
Thurmont Middle School, Thurmont MD
"Thank you so much for your wonderful performance at Concord Hill School! The children loved the day – and your beautiful music and spirit were the perfect way to start the day! We look forward to working with you again in the future!"
Allison Nordlinger
Concord Hill School
On behalf of the Board of Directors, administrators, teachers, students and families, thank you for an incredible year of music. It was a pleasure working with you this school year 2010/2011 and witnessing the musical growth of our students under your care. You made the weekly group work look effortless as you moved through the school teaching primary and elementary students. The ease with which you interacted with multiple age groups, transitioned from English to Spanish, fused Latin with Jazz, and incorporated student-made percussion instruments with vocal arrangements was phenomenal. Your instruction was center stage on so many occasions from the monthly peace ceremonies and winter celebration to the spring festival, to name a few...One had only to look at the faces of proud parents, student voices were raised and hushed as they sang one song after another, to know the impact you had on our students...Any school program or educational venue will be lucky to have you as part of its team. Please accept this letter as evidence of our complete satisfaction with your teaching skills and the manner in which you engage students, faculty and parents.
Diana L. Cottman, Executive Director
Latin American Montessori Bilingual Public Charter School
"The students and teachers alike learned several new things about Latin American music, while enjoying every minute of the performance. As you know, whether a student or not – it is not every day that you can dance a bit of Salsa at school! The musicians were highly professional, but also quite good at knowing what young students like and how to keep enthusiasm and interest high. I already responded to the survey marking excellent (5 out of 5) on all cases. Please continue the great work that you do for students and teachers throughout the Washington DC area and share the music of Cantaré with as many schools as possible."
Susan Beeman, PTA Cultural Arts Chair
Sleepy Hollow Elementary School
"This was an excellent educational performance. The information was fascinating and the songs were beautiful. The performance was memorable and successful!"
Rebecca Wheatley, Fine Arts Assembly Coordinator
Saints Peter and Paul Elementary School
"This is to express our sincere appreciation for Cantaré’s participation in this year’s Architect of the Capitol’s Hispanic Heritage Month Program. The group’s musical presentation captured the spirit of the event and added to the overall success of the program. The performers’ ability to engage the audience made this a memorable and educational experience for all in attendance. We truly enjoyed learning about the various instruments used by the group and their origin. Thank you for a wonderful performance!"
Teresa R. Bailey, Director, Equal Employment Opportunity and Conciliation Programs Division
The Architect of the Capitol