Testimonials

Mar 26, 2013 

The beauty that you have shared with our children through dance is invaluable.
Keep pushing to bring the arts back into the schools because WE ALL need it.
Thanks Michele and Kenyata for all that you do.

Best,

Danielle
Parent at Paideia Academics
South Mountain, Phoenix,AZ

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Thank you Michele for coming and performing at the Fashion Show. Also thanks for working with the women. Denise, Case Manager, says there is such a difference in attitude and gratitude after the Fashion Show and Dance. I have never seen the women so animated as they were during their dances. It brought so much joy to them and also to all of us. You did a wonderful thing for them. I really hope we can work together more.

Thanks again!

 Sally Lara
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence

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I want to take this opportunity to thank you for making October’s “Arts Revolution at ALAC” a complete success!

Your energy, talent and time made a huge impact on the heats of everyone there. I look forward to collaborating
with you all in the near future. Please check out our November Arts Revolution on the 4th! There were tons of pictures
and videos shot of the event so please keep posted for those.

Susana Dorantes is actually in the process of starting a blog about the Arts Revolution in Phoenix, again
this is very exciting.

 Hasta pronto y mil gracias,

 Marcelino Quiñonez
The Arts Revolution at ALAC

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Your vision, precision, encouragement, warm-ups, ideas for movements, ability to communicate clearly and inspiringly to actors, your suggestions: all of this and more has been a gift to me and the cast. So keep on keeping on.

 With Gratitude,

Barbara Acker, Professor Emerita
School of Theatre and Film
Arizona State University

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 This morning was such a great day and sweet reflection of the Cultural Arts Coalition threading together so many amazingly dedicated, thoughtful community artists and persons with a commitment to improving the quality of life for others.

 Although you and I have worked together, on a number of projects, today I write as a mother and community participant. My children attend Orangewood Elementary because of its value for community, diversity and the arts. This was immediately demonstrated to me as I knew they have been in partnership with CAC for a number of years in a variety of programming.

As we are completing our first year there, I observed the second grade classes for my daughter’s next teacher. While sitting with an articulate eight-year-old, I asked her to share with me what she loves about 2nd grade and what she loves about Orangewood. In her sweet, young voice I was waiting to hear about general statements of “art”, “recess”, “my teacher”, “my friends” or something that happened in her recent memory.

However, her response was, “We have Taiko Drumming at my school. I’ll get to do that when I’m older.” So, she has only observed the performances at this point, as she does not have an older sibling involved and that was her love for her school.

Of-course the school is filled with great teachers, administrators and staff, but it was precious to hear a child utter, “Taiko Drumming…”

My observations continued into the lunchroom for time with my two daughters. There I saw Dulce and Michele with Opendance teaching, honoring and celebrating junior high youth whom will perform this Friday.

What a gift that you, Melanie, the Cultural Arts Coalitions, Orangewood and every thoughtful artist gift our communities, our schools and children. I THANK EACH OF YOU for ALL of this!

However, today, I thank you as a mother who knows I have an amazing village enriching the lives of my children.

Thank you.

Humbly,

Malissa Geer

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November 2012

Thank you so much for another incredible performance at our Dia de los Muertos Festival this year!

It was a pleasure having you and the company back and your performances were well received once again. Please let me know if you have any feedback for us about the event that would be great. We are always looking to get bigger and better!

Thank you again. Until next year!

Sara Zeck
Special Events Coordinator
Desert Botanical Garden 

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Thursday, 15 Nov 2012

Thank you so much, Michele, your choreography is AWESOME, that you have done for this show.

I really appreciate you and ALL that you bring to Cannedy –  Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Pam Cannedy
Director: Cannedy Performing Arts Center