Fettes College Prep School, Edinburgh, Scotland, January 2019 Thank you SO much for the wonderful, totally inspirational workshops and concerts yesterday.
It was such a super day and the kids, staff and parents are still buzzing about it; we’ve had so many lovely comments! GP
Anglo-American School of Moscow.
To Whom It May Concern,
Having taught band at the Anglo-American School of Moscow from 2012-2016, I had the pleasure of having Nick and Julie visit the school to work with my students for four consecutive years. At first glance, one may wonder whether or not having them work with young musicians over the span of just two or three days could make a difference in not only the individual musician’s skills but also the band program as a whole. As an initial skeptic myself, I can attest to the fact that these two musicians work nothing less than miracles during their time at the school. On average, Nick and Julie may only be able to have one to three lessons per musician during each visit and yet they are able to quickly assess areas in each child’s performance skills that are in need of repair or adjustment and then they provide quick, clear and understandable remedies that usually take effect almost immediately.
Nick and Julie are not just masters of their instruments but master educators as well. They obviously have a great love for music and the young musicians they work with around the world. If you or your school are contemplating whether or not to invite Nick and Julie or are considering attending a workshop as a performer yourself, you will not regret the decision to do so.
Sincerely,
Dan Miller. Music Educator 1989-present.
Hi Julie and Nick
Just a note to say a huge thank you for what you have done for ** this last few days. She got home, the flute came out and she continued playing for a good hour or two! She even tried her sisters oboe!! She has learnt so much and is really grateful for the opportunity to play with you and learn from you.
She would really like to come again next year – I’ll be looking out for the dates!!!!
Many thanks for your inspiration and commitment – much appreciated!
Kind regards
M.& K.S. (Leicestershire)
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Our daughter has had a wonderful time in Suffolk again this year, she has gained so much confidence in her playing and in herself. She is absolutely exhausted and has only just woken up!!!! This has definitely been her favourite course so far and is already looking forward to next year. We want so say a massive thank you to you both for such a brilliant course and everything you have done for her. She is now up and practising her new pieces in preparation for her audition next week.
N.K. (Ipswich)
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Dear Nick & Julie
We both want to thank you for the wonderful course in Giggleswick and for making me so welcome, even though I was only a hanger-on.
My husband has come on leaps and bounds and his confidence is sky-high now; he can’t wait to book the next course!
I would recommend your courses to anyone, the atmosphere and skill of teaching was amazing and it was great to get together with like-minded people.
If you’re ever in the area come and see us and we hope to see you again soon.
S & A. France. 2015
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Since coming back to flute playing after about 30 years of only occasional playing, I discovered Flutes en Vacances. Since then there has been no stopping me. On Julie and Nick’s courses adult amateurs at every level will find that they are challenged and supported to improve whilst having a great deal of fun. The teaching is stimulating, the food home cooked, delicious and varied and you meet lovely people. When not playing you have a good laugh in a relaxed and informal atmosphere.
Having myself been quite anxious about attending the first time, I now look forward to each course with excitement and would heartily recommend them to everybody who enjoys playing flute, clarinet or saxophone and is interested in improving their level of playing.
H.A (Chelmsford)
Having myself been quite anxious about attending the first time, I now look forward to each course with excitement and would heartily recommend them to everybody who enjoys playing flute, clarinet or saxophone and is interested in improving their level of playing.
H.A (Chelmsford)
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Julie Wright is one of the most extraordinary teachers and inspirer of children of all ages that Britain has produced. With almost 34 years experience organising and creating original workshops, courses and concerts all over the world, her approach to music making and instrumental technique produces amazing results in a very short space of time. She is equally effective with individual students of all levels, a small number of talented flute-players, a complete Junior Wind band or groups of advanced students. Her energy, experience and charisma motivates all the students to enjoy making music with her whilst learning how to work to improve their technique.
Dr Atarah ben-Tovim MBE Hon D.Mus ARAM LRAM ARCM. Associated Board of The Royal Schools Representative, France
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I have known Julie for many years, both as a fine player and as a colleague organising British Flute Society International Conventions. I have also observed her as a coach and teacher helping both amateurs and professionals with their flute playing problems and I cannot think of anyone more suited to the task of coaching and conducting flute ensembles. She is not only the most experienced person in this country, but widely sought after. I can recommend her to you without reservation of any kind.
Trevor Wye (FRNCM) www.trevorwye.com tw@trevorwye.com
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Nicholas Foster is a truly gifted teacher, always inspiring his pupils with a love of the instrument and music.He gives his students technical tools to achieve their capabilities on their instruments, whether on clarinet, saxophone or flute.He is a mufti-faceted musician equally at home with classical, jazz and popular repertoire on all three instruments.Being a successful arranger and composer, he is a very motivational theory and composition teacher too! Having worked with him on several courses, whether he teaches individual lessons, or ensembles, he is a dedicated and caring teacher who always gets maximum results.
Dr Atarah ben-Tovim MBE Hon D.Mus ARAM LRAM ARCM. Associated Board of The Royal Schools Representative, France. www.atarah.tv atarahflute@wanadoo.fr
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May 2013 : Gavin Pettinger,ex Director of Music at Newland House School says….
“Julie and Nick run the most inspiring, fun and worthwhile music courses around. Dozens of our students have attended their courses and have benefited greatly from their expert tuition, buzzy workshops and opportunities to perform at every turn.These are the courses where your child really can expect to make the equivalent of a year?s musical progress in just a few days.All the music is arranged by Nick to suit the level and experience of each player and the concerts are relaxed and fun,enabling instrumentalists to flourish and gain confidence as they progress onto the next level. The courses are held in beautiful venues with superb home cooked food and opportunities for country pursuits and outdoor concerts.Team work, making new friends and the camaraderie of playing in ensembles all come as part of the package. Nick and Julie are the perfect hosts as well as top musicians and educators themselves. 10/10!”
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Jane Williams. Before leaving Oman she worked with a Music and Arts Institute, using her own music degree and knowledge to expand the provision of music and arts in Muscat. It was during this period that she arranged to host a “Flutes en Vacances” course at the Institute.
She writes…”One of my greatest desires is to ensure that students who take music also have a chance to make music with others of all standards. It was wonderful to see the flute group doing exactly this when they visited the Institute. The enthusiasm and happy faces of all ages will always be imprinted on my memory! Of course this did not happen by accident; the careful planning and arranging of music and groups by Nick and Julie were the driving force of the success of the event. They exuded enthusiasm throughout the course and guided the members through a series of concerts with smooth organisation and confidence. One of the most pleasurable aspects was to see young teenagers mixing with ease with older members of the group, secure in the knowledge that playing the flute was a “cool activity” and did not mean that you had to be stuffy or serious. In fact, Julie and her infectious enthusiasm is so charismatic that she could make serving tea at the WI cool! Such organisations as this should be encouraged and praised and I fully endorse the work of Julie and Nick”
Jane Williams is a former UK headteacher and now works as an International school inspector.
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Christy Wanamaker, Head of Music, Anglo-American School, Moscow where Julie and Nick were at work in March 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and soon to go in January 2016
REFLECTIONS- from some of the Anglo-American School Students
Julie and Nick were really helpful. She really inspired me by the amount of energy she put into everything. I was so surprised when I saw how much energy she had because I didn’t expect a person like her (from my first impression) to have as much energy as she proved she had. She really woke the flutes up and helped us emphasize the staccato notes in our music. And she helped everyone in the band be more excited. I noticed a huge improvement in the saxophones. My favorite part with our guests was when Julie took all the flutes in the practice room and taught us to energize our staccato notes. I also enjoyed the individual lesson as it helped me very much on the little, but important, things that I was doing wrong.The really impressive part of their visit at AAS was the concert. I was amazed at the things Julie could do on the flute and at how clearly and beautifully Nick played the saxophone and the clarinet. It was really enjoyable. 8th grade flute