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E nergetic
Lets people be nice Lets herself be nice Excellent teacher Natalie is one of her best students Ha, Ha ! --- Natalie W. |
I have enjoyed everything so much - my lessons, flute choir, learning new music. My experience as your student has been invaluable to me. I feel so fortunate to have played your music. I will never forget "The War Prayer." Most of all, I feel lucky to have known you for the past eight years. Thank you so much for everything you have done for me. You are a great teacher and a great friend.
--- Stephanie S. |
Thank you for a great year of piano with Anna. She learned so much while having lots of fun with you. We were very proud of her original composition, "The Sea of Ranch Dressing." Thank you for working on it with her and for all your encouragement. We look forward to the fall.
--- The M. family |
I don't know where to begin to say how much we have appreciated you!!! You have been extraordinary in the way you have cultivated a relationship with Ben. You have been a constant in his life. Your understanding, acceptance, and patience over so many years have grounded him in ways that few other adults in his life have done. It is a special person who is able to nurture a student who "marches to his own drum" and see him thrive. You have genuinely liked who he is and loved him unconditionally. That is a priceless gift!! We will miss you.
--- S. W. and B. |
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At the time that I first started taking the flute, I was very shy, so the fact that I felt comfortable enough to roll on the floor laughing really says something about how close I have always felt to you. Thank you so much for being not just a teacher, but a friend who I can talk with about whatever is happening in my life. Thank you also for introducing me to the piano, which I now love and feel and emotional connection with. I will miss our lessons so much and promise to visit.
--- Lauren B. |
We are so grateful for you! Thank you so much for your incredible teaching skills ever the past ten years! Most importantly, thank you for your friendship to Jenny. You have been her anchor for these years. You have had faith in her, laughed with her and helped her to negotiate the sometimes turbulent years of middle and high school. You are truly an amazing woman who sees the potential in others and brings out the best in all of us who know and love you.
--- Jim and Judy C. |
I can't even begin to thank you for all the years you've been giving me flute lessons. You have become much more like a friend than a teacher and I really appreciate everything you've done. You have put up with my shenanigans for eight years! From writing my college recommendation to visiting my horse and supporting me at the recitals, you have always been there for me. You've been so great and I'm going to miss you a lot at college. I will definitely visit!
--- Savannah R. |
Al and I sincerely thank you for being such a warm, caring, and influential person in Stephanie's life over the years. Not only have you shaped her appreciation of music and provided her the gift of being able to play the flute, but you have also been a trusted friend and powerful role model for her as well. It saddened me to attend her recent recital, knowing it would be her last, but we will all treasure the memories of many wonderful performances! We wish you the best.
--- Carole and Al S. |
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Thanks again for such a fun year! Lauren and I have learned so much. No one could ever replace you! Thank you for being the best teacher ever . We love you so much and can't wait for another year!
--- Lauren and Alex |
Thank you so much for teaching me how to play the flute. I would not have made it this far without you. My lessons are something to look forward to, and I can't go a day without practicing (if I do, I feel bad). You have shown mo the world of music and have opened a new door in my life. I cannot thank you enough for being someone I can look up to, a teacher and friend.
--- Jill A. |
Dear Ellen,
Today in class we read a book called Thank You Mr. Falker, by Patricia Polacco. It inspired our class to write thank you letters to people who have had an impact on our lives. You had an impact on my life. If I hadn't started studying flute with you, I probably would have quit. Before I came to you, I didn't practice much and my notes were airy. You helped me fix that and improve so much more. For example, you encouraged me to practice and showed me different ways to position my lips. For next year, I chose band for one of my electives. I love seeing you for lessons every Saturday. Everything is always fun!--- Agustina |
Dear Ellen, Thank you so much for your instruction and discipline when I need it most in my life. I think you understand what's important and are putting me in that direction. You are an amazing teacher and I'm lucky that you are teaching me. Thank you again for everything and for your understanding.
Love,--- Taryn |
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Music lesson day is the highlight of the week for my daughter. Ellen is a talented and professional musician. More importantly however, for the beginning and intermediate student, she is a skilled and gifted teacher as well. She brings out the best in her students, and her rapport encourages them to want to succeed. Ellen's nurturing manner, gentle corrections and "we're in this as a team" approach are what the most inspired of educators all seem to have in common. Music lessons are a highlight of my week now, as I enjoy following the progress of my daughter, and the inspired methodology of this hard-working instructor.
--- D. and J. Conroy |
lHow can I thank you enough? You've been so much more than a great flute teacher; you're also the kind of friend who has helped me learn a lot about life too. I've gotten the chance to improve so many aspects of my musicianship and to deepen my awareness of music and its subtleties and possibilities. Also I've been able to express my thoughts and feelings to you with the confidence that you are a person who truly cares about and understands me . . . I want you to know how important you've been (and are) to me.
--- Katherine Thank you for teaching me for nine years. But also for encouraging me, lifting me up, and listening and conversing with me. Your lessons were a calming moment during my weeks. I learned so much more than music; I learned how to prioritize, de-stress, manage my time {also that I prefer cats}. Thank for being an amazing teacher who adjusts for her students and gets to know them and their individual needs. ___Ivanna |
August 22, 2007
Dear Ellen, Starting this letter seems quite impossible because I really have so much that I want you to know and so much I want to express, But then again, I of course, don't want this to feel like a goodbye because it is not. I must first say thank you. Thank you sounds so small and trite for everything you have done for me, but from the very bottom of my heart, I must thank you so immensely and truly for so much. You've taught me music, which is in and of itself so wonderful and deep. I will always play the flute because you've taught me to love it. Eight years of learning music is priceless, really. Meeting you and learning from you and about music opened up my world. I understand and appreciate so many things because of you. I feel so educated, blessed, enlightened, worldly and fortunate to have learned from you. I cannot imagine what I would have missed out on had I not had an opportunity to appreciate music and the arts. The arts are my life, they will continue to be my life. You have helped me discover, explore and enjoy that. Apart from being my teacher, you have most definitely been an irreplaceable friend. Middle School and High School were so hard for me sometimes. Having a flute lesson was the best and sometimes the only cure for a bad day. If a miserable day happened to coincide with the day of my lesson, I can recall my mom saying many a time not to worry because "flute lessons always cheer you up," and the thing was, they always always did. I always left you home feeling calm, more poised and just better. When my world seemed like it was falling to pieces, I never doubted that you would be there for me. You alwayis make me feel loved and appreciated and important. You've undoubtedly been one of the most important people in my life and have been a most significant role model for me. I cannot express my love and appreciation enough to you. Thank you thank you thank you! Love, --- Alison R. |
I do really want to thank you for everything you have done for me. You re-inspired me to work at the flute and encouraged me to excel at it. Without your enthusiasm I probably would have quit completely after my first flute teacher. I plan and hope to play forever. You also took a real interest in my life, making you not just a teacher but a friend. So thank you for your friendship, your teaching, and your support.
--- Shanna |
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Thank you for working with me and teaching me to become a better flute player....You helped me to play more thoughtfully and expressively. I am also glad that you encouraged me to join flute choir. I enjoyed the opportunity to play with other people and to go out of my comfort zone. I always looked forward to my weekly lessons. Thank you for all that you have done!
--- Emma H. |
Thank you for being such an excellent teacher and for supporting my playing for the past four years. Being there for me when I needed someone, you are a true friend.
--- L. |
Consider yourself fortunate if you have the opportunity for your child to study with Ellen Bender--she is a rare find. Ellen has an uncanny ability to infuse a sense of fun and joy into her lessons while insisting on excellence. Thanks to Ellen, our daughter has been transformed from a child who enjoys playing the flute to a serious student of music. We feel truly fortunate to have found such a gifted flute teacher for our daughter.
--- Wendy and Fred Surr |
I so much enjoy coming along to Kate's flute lessons. The music is delightful, but the really nice part for me is how you impart a sense of fun to the lesson time. I love hearing Kate giggle when you're chatting about the music. She clearly enjoys your company and your guidance, and that is a real gift!
--- Tracey R. |
Thank you so much for an awesome year of lessons! I have improved and learned a ton and had a great time working with Lindsay for the recital. I hope to study with you next year.
--- Stephanie |