CelloChanWoods Testimonials

"CelloChanWoods was a really great experience. I learned a lot. At first, I really didn't want to go to the retreat, but now I am really glad that I went. I really liked the early morning meditation (Normally, I am not a morning person, but I really enjoyed the wonderful, peaceful, contented feeling I got while meditating with the sunrise) and learning about meditation. I think what I may have enjoyed the most was when you talked to us in the morning. I am really disappointed that I missed both the meditation and talk on Thursday morning. I loved the Trager, and always felt so wonderful afterwards. I liked the master class, even though I was really nervous to play. I also liked working with the counselors and getting to know everyone a little bit better. (I now regularly email with Graham, Larkin, and Steven.) ................ The camp was really intensive, and was a good experience, but I think it would have been just as good if it had ended an hour earlier. (I do feel like I did accomplished something, like jumping over a big hurdle for lasting through the long days, like you said we would.) ..........CelloChanWoods was awesome, and I learned a lot that has already helped me in real life."

Allison - CCW student - age 13

"Cello Chan Woods camp was fun and exciting. There were a lot of interesting things. Here are my opinions of the retreat: There were many positive things at camp. The Trager sessions were relaxing. Counselors were helpful and polite. The treasure hunt was fun. After the hot day sitting down and looking at the fans was awesome. Having only a few people camp was great because then we could be together often. Juliano and Preston were funny................. I learned a lot from the camp. There were many positive things, though I think there is still more room for improvement. Good luck for next year!"

Graham - age 13

I just recently got back from San Diego so it's kind of hard to connect back to the camp after you have just played a soccer tournament. Anyway here it goes.

Right now I think the meditation and Trager might have helped in making me more calm and concentrated. Our soccer team just lost all three games which would usually get me really mad considering how far we went to get there in the first place but instead this time I wasn't that mad. I wasn't exactly happy but I got over us losing really quickly.

Also during the games I thought I was more concentrated and played much better. Maybe it was just a good week but I think CCW may have helped. I also think it may have been because I am battling with another player for playing time right now.

When I look back I also think that the cello sessions helped me learn how to work on new pieces in different ways. The master classes I think helped my tarantella a lot. Maybe next time we should have more pieces to work on, that would be nice.

I think in the afternoons having those hikes or treasure hunts or whatever made the trip a lot more fun. We just had to work the whole morning and to have some fun was nice. If we do an overnight trip then having the evening off after the rehearsal would be nice too. It would be really nice to have a week for the camp too. That's about all I have to say about the camp.

Philipp - CCW student - age 12

I loved the idea of this camp! Ms. Suzanne did such a good job of making learning fun. One of the things I liked the most was playing the cello outside. It was peaceful and relaxing. We were given the opportunity to really think deeply about looking at music in a whole different way. Ms. Suzanne asked us all the question. "What is music?", and the other responses changed my perspective and brought new ideas.

At first, I was very uncomfortable about getting a "massage", but after I tried it, I loved it! The Trager made me feel calm and less tense. The only thing that didn't quite "agree with me" was the meditation. Even though I know the meditation method was meant to be centering and to help us focus, it turned out for me to be distracting and uncomfortable. When we were given the option to sit in a "comfy" chair, it was better. I think there are other ways that I could meditate that would be more helpful for me, personally.

The treasure hunt at the end was very creative and a whole lot of fun! We all had a wonderful time discovering the treasures. I enjoyed getting to know the other kids better, and I would have even liked staying at the camp over night. The camp really helped me to improve in the areas of being tense and giving more freedom to play with confidence."

Preston - CCW student age 12

"The CelloChanWoods Experience

It is difficult to remember the precise feeling I experienced at the beginning of day 1, but I do know how nervous I was. I doubted myself, particularly my ability to instruct others in the art of making music. Would I be able to give constructive advice? What if I told them something "wrong"? What if I have trouble with rhythm? I do know, however, that I experienced none of these feelings come Day 3. I believe every aspect of the retreat helped theses feelings to dissipate, and to be replaced with confidence, patience, and focus. I found the meditation provided fitting bookends to the day. I felt rejuvenated following the morning meditation, ready for the day's work, while the afternoon meditation helped clarify so many things, without actually thinking about them. As one who obsessively- compulsively goes over and over things in her head, it was a welcome, and exciting change. This new approach to thinking helped both my playing, and my teaching. Every day it became a little easier to let frustrations go, and for lack of a better way to say it, just go with the flow. If a note was played that I didn't particularly like, I would ask myself how I could make it better, rather than punishing myself for an imperfection. In my ten years of playing the cello, never have I been able to do that.

The CellChanWoods Orchestra proved to be quite inspiring as well---there is nothing like hearing 12 beautiful cellos performing together. I thought this was the foundation of the retreat. Having that chance to pull together and share what we all learned was an important component to the retreat. I know it motivated me to work on my own part, and incorporating advise given to other players helped me to play with more ease, focus, and confidence. At the next retreat, I would love for there to be more group playing, whether in small ensembles or as a cello orchestra.

My only regret is that I did not keep a journal documenting my experience. I think it would have been helpful to all to record their feelings each day to really see how they progressed. It would be useful for jotting down what things worked,and what things didn't. As I'm writing this, I wish I had something to remind me of the little things that have since slipped my mind.

Music, Cello and Life Afterwards:

The most profound difference I see in my life following CelloChanWoods is simply patience. It allows me to be unhurried in my approach to not only practicing, but to the little things that arise each day. This feeling has ripened over time, surprising me with acceptance of myself, others, and my music. I find my focus is sharper, my ears listen a bit better, my body mid more open, an my head is held little bit higher. I have held on to this feeling by meditating a few times a week, and practicing when I feel as though "I had forever." If I had to summarize CelloChanWoods in one word, it would be 'enlightening.' I've heard many of the words spoken at the retreat before, but something about the group experience triggered the words to sink in. I am still attempting to understand what made the retreat so effective, but I know that everything and everyone contributed to a truly unique and enjoyable experience."

Caitlin - CCW counselor age 20

"Overall I thought that the camp went really well. The meditation part was really interesting and it helped me to fell grounded. The mountain one made me feel strong and confident...... The next part was the separate times of practicing and Trager. I actually really enjoyed helping out everyone. I think that I learned a lot by seeing how other people practice. Normally you only see other people play at concerts when the piece has been worked on for a long time but by seeing people work on new pieces I saw that most people had the same problems when practicing that I also have, such as rhythm, intonation, slowing down. It made me want to practice. Next I think that you should also have a time where they are practicing alone and where no one is around to help. The master class was a great thing. I wish I could have played in it. I liked seeing the different stages that people had their pieces in. Same as with the individual practice it showed me that everyone had a lot in common when it comes to practicing and playing....... Another really good thing about the camp was that it brought your students together. Normally people only see each other at concerts but here you actually got to know people. I was having a lot of fun with all of them by the end. They were a great group of kids. The cello orchestra was fun. I enjoyed playing with other people. Even though I was a counselor I wished that I could have participated more as a camper in regards to having practice time, and involvement in Trager and the master class. After the camp I was excited to practice my cello and try to incorporate what I had learned into my playing. So if other people feel more inspired after the camp like I am then I think the camp was a success."

Emily - counselor - age 19