Program Feedback & Testimonials
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“You taught me so many things: it's okay to be me, be loud and be proud, stand strong no matter what… I'm better than I know, I'm stronger than I know, I am smarter than I know. You helped me through the hardest part in my life where a lot of people get lost… You helped me develop and stay on my path. You gave me guidance when I needed it most even if I wasn't looking for it.”
-MEPAA GRRRLZ ROCK Student |
“If it wasn’t for Kidz Rock, we wouldn’t be doing this right now. Both of my kids are adopted with ADD/ADHD – my son has fetal alcohol syndrome - and music has changed their lives. My son stuttered when he first started. He gets on stage now and sings entire songs. He jumps off the stage and plays in people’s faces – he’s made leaps and bounds!”
-MEPAA KIDZ ROCK Parent |
“For us, this is THE PLACE… My older kid suffers from social anxiety. It is very difficult for him to make friends or feel he fits in anywhere… Then we went to MEPAA. And there it was. A place we can be ourselves. When I asked my son his favorite part he said, ‘being around people with the same interests.’ If you don't understand social anxiety that's huge. People care there… This place has impacted our lives, not just taught music lessons.”
-MEPAA Music Center Parent |
Student Feedback
“I feel like Kidz Rock is a safe environment for anyone. They are really supportive. I would describe Kidz Rock as welcoming because when you first come in, they don’t just say ‘Hi’ they ask, ‘What do you need?’ ‘What can we get you started with?’ I feel more motivated and I’m not afraid to sing out in public… I feel more able to get up on stage.”
“I feel like I have a voice and I feel like I can share it with other people. I would describe Kidz Rock as supportive because when I joined everyone was so happy no matter what. If we made a mistake it was okay because we are all just there to have fun.”
“I like this class because I like how free and inspired it makes me feel as a musician. Nothing feels wrong or out of place.”
“I feel more socially dynamic after playing music with such a diverse group of musicians.”
“I really love playing music with other musically minded kids, as well as exploring new instruments.”
“I love meeting new people and being able to play music together. I also love learning to play new songs that I have never heard before.”
“I feel way more connected to others. It did increase my confidence.”
“This class has given me an important output for my music energy as well as improving my group musical skills.”
“I used to be scared to talk to people until now.”
“I’ve gotten so much more confident from going here.”
“It helps me get out of my shell.”
“I feel like I have a voice and I feel like I can share it with other people. I would describe Kidz Rock as supportive because when I joined everyone was so happy no matter what. If we made a mistake it was okay because we are all just there to have fun.”
“I like this class because I like how free and inspired it makes me feel as a musician. Nothing feels wrong or out of place.”
“I feel more socially dynamic after playing music with such a diverse group of musicians.”
“I really love playing music with other musically minded kids, as well as exploring new instruments.”
“I love meeting new people and being able to play music together. I also love learning to play new songs that I have never heard before.”
“I feel way more connected to others. It did increase my confidence.”
“This class has given me an important output for my music energy as well as improving my group musical skills.”
“I used to be scared to talk to people until now.”
“I’ve gotten so much more confident from going here.”
“It helps me get out of my shell.”
Family Feedback
“We're so grateful for everything you all do to offer a welcoming and inclusive space for creative expression. We are lifelong fans of MEPAA. We believe strongly in MEPAA's mission. It's an amazing program. You do a great job of bringing together kids who might not otherwise find common ground and uniting them in a fun and meaningful way. I wish we had started with you years ago!”
“I know Ezra has just joined, but this is the highlight of his week. He talks about it a lot at school, which helps him open up with communication in daily life. He loves this class and it has been a great outlet for him. It emotionally helps him as well and creates a music community for him. He loves everyone he gets to interact with in the class. I’m so incredibly grateful that he has been able to join in and to help blossom his long passion for music. This has truly been a blessing for our family. To see his happiness shine, knowing its music class day. Thank you for all your help and being there. I can’t express enough how grateful I am for this opportunity for my son.”
“She feels very comfortable and welcomed and cared for there. She’s been able to learn and grow and has felt supported in every aspect, whether it be with the lessons, the opportunities to sing to a crowd or the support they’ve given her as she begins her college journey. MEPAA was really the only outside anything that she did. It gave her something social, let her learn more about something she is passionate about, and gave her people that weren’t family that cared for her and helped guide her. MEPAA is so much more than music lessons for her. As her mom, I can’t begin to express how much this program has meant to me, seeing how it’s been so helpful to my daughter.”
"Joshua has always had music in his heart, but over the past year it’s grown into something even more meaningful. Through the Music Education & Performing Artists Association (MEPAA), Joshua has been able to explore his passion for drumming. He takes private lessons and also participates in group classes, which have given him not just skills, but community. What makes MEPAA so special is the way they’ve created an inclusive space where finances aren’t a barrier and every student feels welcome. The volunteers and teachers pour their passion into making sure kids like Joshua have the opportunity to thrive. For him, that sense of belonging has been life-changing. Joshua has become more open, more confident, and so much happier since finding this space where he can express himself. Music has given him a voice, but inclusion has given him a place. And that’s something worth celebrating."
“I know Ezra has just joined, but this is the highlight of his week. He talks about it a lot at school, which helps him open up with communication in daily life. He loves this class and it has been a great outlet for him. It emotionally helps him as well and creates a music community for him. He loves everyone he gets to interact with in the class. I’m so incredibly grateful that he has been able to join in and to help blossom his long passion for music. This has truly been a blessing for our family. To see his happiness shine, knowing its music class day. Thank you for all your help and being there. I can’t express enough how grateful I am for this opportunity for my son.”
“She feels very comfortable and welcomed and cared for there. She’s been able to learn and grow and has felt supported in every aspect, whether it be with the lessons, the opportunities to sing to a crowd or the support they’ve given her as she begins her college journey. MEPAA was really the only outside anything that she did. It gave her something social, let her learn more about something she is passionate about, and gave her people that weren’t family that cared for her and helped guide her. MEPAA is so much more than music lessons for her. As her mom, I can’t begin to express how much this program has meant to me, seeing how it’s been so helpful to my daughter.”
"Joshua has always had music in his heart, but over the past year it’s grown into something even more meaningful. Through the Music Education & Performing Artists Association (MEPAA), Joshua has been able to explore his passion for drumming. He takes private lessons and also participates in group classes, which have given him not just skills, but community. What makes MEPAA so special is the way they’ve created an inclusive space where finances aren’t a barrier and every student feels welcome. The volunteers and teachers pour their passion into making sure kids like Joshua have the opportunity to thrive. For him, that sense of belonging has been life-changing. Joshua has become more open, more confident, and so much happier since finding this space where he can express himself. Music has given him a voice, but inclusion has given him a place. And that’s something worth celebrating."
Agency & Family Evaluation Feedback - Music For All Program
“Matrisha and Forest are some of the best leaders we have had, they deserve genuine recognition for their energy, enthusiasm and expertise.”
“Thank you!! You are a huge anchor of strength and steadiness for our family.”
“I think the social aspect of meeting with others with a love for music and sharing experiences they wouldn't otherwise get to have. Much less sharing them with peers. This is a relaxed and festive environment so experiencing joy and laughter with one other is part of the social experience. One student, who presents as being very shy, makes it a point to offer fist bumps and smiles to new acquaintances at music class. This is also an opportunity that is very rare for him.”
“One of the most unique and meaningful parts of this class is when actual, well maintained instruments are placed in their hands. They are encouraged to strike, strum or otherwise play the instrument.”
“Class content and tasks are so very well suited or adapted to the special needs of the students that everyone is overcoming barriers, changing their self perception from being a person who can't play an instrument to being someone who can.”
“Each week, one of the people I take to this class will engage their staff at home about his experiences at class. This allows for a more sincere and positive interaction between this supported person and their staff.”
“He matches dynamics such as intensity and volume to the appearance of mastery. I never knew he was capable of this kind of awareness and expression.”
“How cool! He’s absolutely loving it and I’m so grateful he has a safe place to explore this love for music he’s found! Through all his more recent medical stuff, thinking about the next class or lesson has truly been what gets him through and it’s just such a blessing.”
“The interactions and greetings between the instructors and the people I support are natural and genuine. The instructors help the students identify themselves by their music preferences. They remember many of the music preferences and offer experiences to broaden their awareness of different kinds of music.”
“One more aspect of the content and curriculum that makes this class unique is that while learning about new instruments, the instructors connect what could be learned to what the students already know, identifying the students as coming with valuable experiences and knowledge.”
“Thank you!! You are a huge anchor of strength and steadiness for our family.”
“I think the social aspect of meeting with others with a love for music and sharing experiences they wouldn't otherwise get to have. Much less sharing them with peers. This is a relaxed and festive environment so experiencing joy and laughter with one other is part of the social experience. One student, who presents as being very shy, makes it a point to offer fist bumps and smiles to new acquaintances at music class. This is also an opportunity that is very rare for him.”
“One of the most unique and meaningful parts of this class is when actual, well maintained instruments are placed in their hands. They are encouraged to strike, strum or otherwise play the instrument.”
“Class content and tasks are so very well suited or adapted to the special needs of the students that everyone is overcoming barriers, changing their self perception from being a person who can't play an instrument to being someone who can.”
“Each week, one of the people I take to this class will engage their staff at home about his experiences at class. This allows for a more sincere and positive interaction between this supported person and their staff.”
“He matches dynamics such as intensity and volume to the appearance of mastery. I never knew he was capable of this kind of awareness and expression.”
“How cool! He’s absolutely loving it and I’m so grateful he has a safe place to explore this love for music he’s found! Through all his more recent medical stuff, thinking about the next class or lesson has truly been what gets him through and it’s just such a blessing.”
“The interactions and greetings between the instructors and the people I support are natural and genuine. The instructors help the students identify themselves by their music preferences. They remember many of the music preferences and offer experiences to broaden their awareness of different kinds of music.”
“One more aspect of the content and curriculum that makes this class unique is that while learning about new instruments, the instructors connect what could be learned to what the students already know, identifying the students as coming with valuable experiences and knowledge.”
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“GRRRLZ ROCK is absolutely essential to building a network of community around music, especially in providing opportunities to young people. Providing mentorship, performance and learning opportunities and bringing various ages and talents together results in a rich experience for everyone involved. It also brings rewards and learning to kids who need it most and might otherwise not get a chance to participate. Keep up the good work!”
– Karen Rainsong, local artist and teacher, former Managing Director of the Arts and Business Alliance of Eugene “Three years ago I had never played a band gig in my life, and GRRRLZ ROCK gave me my first gig opportunity ever, for which I am forever grateful, and things have grown from there.”
- Ramune Nagisetty. Ramune has booked hundreds of gigs since her involvement with GRRRLZ ROCK both with her band Rocket 3 and as a soloist. “We just wanted you to know that the girls from the Sub Pilots wanted to donate their money from their Grrrlz Rock show this year back to you. What you have created with Grrrlz Rock is priceless, and the girls have incredible memories from the opportunities that you made possible, both from shows that they have participated in and from opportunities to see other artists that they otherwise never would have seen. You rock Matrisha!”
- Eva, performer parent. The Sub Pilots and their families have been long time participants, donors, volunteers, and supporters of the festival. |
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MuseArt is a great weekly event where I get to show up with my paints and create. I have actually sold several of my pieces and my skills have improved greatly because of the practice and the unique setting. The witnessing of a completely, but equally creative, type of discipline (performing art, music) than what I am immersed in daily (visual art) creates a unique sense of pure excitement and fosters experimentation and causes my energy and creative levels to soar!
As a visual artist and teacher, I am often alone in my studio, or standing in front of a class and giving instructions. MuseArt forces me to do my craft in a unique and different setting, so I get very different and unique results. This translates into new skills and confidence that are life long tools in my creative tool-belt. Other benefits are interacting and conversing with people who are just there to watch, my artist peers and the creative people who are making the music. It also brings all these diverse folks together creating a unique, creative and exciting synergy. All ages & skill levels are involved, which gives people a chance to mentor younger artists and musicians, or be encouraged and advised by more experienced or seasoned artists and/or musicians. - Brian Mark Hahn, Long-time MuseArt Artist; Owner, Iconographic Design; Art Instructor |
New Zone Gallery partners with MuseArt to expose our own followers to their programs. This collaboration and mutual support is beneficial to both of us. We certainly recognize the contribution MuseArt makes to our community in the visual arts. Emerging artists may begin with MuseArt and ultimately join our gallery.
MuseArt has become an integral part of the Eugene community through the opportunities they create. Because MEPAA programs allow participation, in most cases, for no fee, they have a big impact on the lives of those who might otherwise have no opportunity to learn to play an instrument, paint a picture or develop their creative side. MuseArt fills a critical need in our community due to lack of art in our schools. Eugene's residents' exposure to artistic opportunity through MuseArt makes our city a better, healthier place to live. - Dianne Story Cunningham, New Zone Gallery President and Community Partner |
