Music Organizations
that have hosted Michael as a clinician
(click names for complete quote in a PDF file)

Jeff Langley, Ph.D
(Chair of Music Dept.-Sonoma State University/composer/author)
"Michael's positive and insightful approach has helped
many a student expand their idea of their
musical identity and potential to a broader vision--
often worlds removed from what they originally imagined.
His teaching approach extends far beyond the
principal instrument of study to cover every
conceivable aspect of the student's development...
His 'Musical Creativity and the Art of Practicing'
is a life-changing workshop!"

Rev. Carolyn Jolly Douglas
(Senior Minister, Illuminata Center for Spiritual Living)
"Michael, I just want to make sure that I tell you
how much I got out of the workshop on Sunday.  
You are an excellent teacher!  You worked with us
individually to experience the components of our chant.  
Genesis was happening for each of us, and
we all got something to finish or continue refining. 
I learned how everything just seems to come to me
and I hadn't really taken the time to separate the beat
from the rhythm of the melody — I just let them blend.  
Well, a big THANK YOU to you AND I want to do it again."

Doug Goodkin
(Orff Method pioneer & author/composer/arranger/
multi-instrumentalist)
"Michael completed both the Orff Schulwerk Level I
training at Mills College and my
'Jazz and Orff Schulwerk' Course.
It was humbling for me to teach
such an accomplished musician,
but I believe both experiences
helped sharpen his intuitive sense of
how to involve children (and adults)
in music-making in a way that
has carried over in his
concert lecture demonstrations.
Michael returned twice to my jazz course
to present his ['earPlay Jazzquintet'
and 17-person 'Mirabai' choral] ensembles
and was enthusiastically received both times.

Dr. Helen Dilworth
(Vocal Instructor-City College of San Francisco
and the College of Marin)
"Since I've adjudicated many artistic competitions, such as
The Califorinia Arts Council and Grants To Touring Artists,
I can compare Michael Smolens and
'The Mirabai Ensemble' to the best in California.
They are wonderful performers, highly educational,
marvelously entertaining, and they make beautiful music
over an awesome range of styles".

Brenda Chinn
(Concert-Lecture Coordinator -
City College of San Francisco)
"Bravo! That was a spectacular performance.
Thank you all for an evening of
unique music and vocal improvisation.
Our City College audience thoroughly enjoyed
the entire program--the perfect showcase
of your extraordinary talent.
The workshop of the presentation was equally fine."

Jeff Morton
(Homestead High School Choral Director, Sunnyvale)
Thank you again for coming! The students, and I,
got a lot out of your visit. I really appreciated
that you took time to focus on one thing--
it was a nice reminder that to get a point in,
you've got to spend time with it.
I thought that your [recommended] listening list
was excellent, and I played different pieces from it
in classes following your workshop and at lunch last week.

Students appreciated that you had a different approach
with each singer, and thought that you were very skilled
at assessing their improvisation skills quickly
and building off of where they were at.
They also really appreciated that you
called on everyone to do it, and didn't allow
anyone to say "I pass"--something that isn't good for
anyone in the room when I do that.

Bob Athayde
(Stanley Middle School Music Chair/arranger/pianist)
"As the world gets increasingly smaller
from a cultural standpoint,
the 'earPlay Jazzquintet' is helping to foster
greater understanding while heightening
students' aesthetic awareness and creativity.
I would highly recommend Michael Smolens
and the 'earplay Jazzquintet'
to any school who wants to enrich
their students' (and faculty's) lives.

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