PARENT COMMENTS

"(My children) come home on Music days now and share all they learned that day from the songs to the beats to the reminders about pitch. They reenact what they hear from Mr. Salyers and I can hear, through them, the love and passion Mr. Salyers has. I wish I had a music teacher like that when I was that young - I never picked up an instrument and never really appreciated the art of music until much later in life. My kids feel Mr. Salyers' love of music and it is beautiful.
-from Kindergarten & 1st Grade Parent

"What a wonderful concert today! I am filled with such immense gratitude for a school and instructors who teach children to value diversity not by paying lip service to it but by integrating lessons on difference and sameness into their every day."
-from 1st Grade Parent

"My daughter . . . LOVES both music class and Songbirds. . . . I've been so impressed by how much she's learned. She tried out for Oliver and got a part this spring, and when I heard the song she prepared for the audition, I realized that you have really taught her how to sing!"
-from 2nd Grade Parent

"[My child] tried out for the school play this fall and got the lead in the King and I as Anna. Just looking back at my daughter who didn't really have an interest in singing and acting. I believe her growth has come from being in your Chorus. You have developed quite a good little singer and want to thank you for your patience and hard work."
-from 5th Grade Parent

"As I told you at the Kindergarten and First Grade Concert Performance, in my years of videotaping thousands of school performances at both public and private schools throughout the tri-state area, I have never seen such a rich learning experience incorporated into the singing and instrument playing as I did at your concert. It was a pleasure to see the learning that was happening in addition to just enjoying the concert music. Keep up the great work."
-from Videographer Hired to Video the 2009 Grade Level Celebrations
(Several moments from those concerts are included in my "Music Teaching Montage."

​"[My child] sang the Greek song with a family friend who is Greek and was delighted to hear [her] sing in Greek! Some months ago, I was blown away to hear [her] walking around the house singing in Mandarin . . . ."
-from 1st Grade Parent

"I just heard from [my child] that you have taught them the Guantanamera song. [Her] maternal grandmother (my mom) is Cuban, born and raised. And I'm especially proud that my daughter and her classmates are being taught this song!"
-from 1st Grade Parent Email

"It is impossible to count the number of concerts and rehearsals and trips... between all the classes and chorus at NEST to all-county, all-state, regionals and nationals it was quite a wonderful ride with you. But the lasting experience and enjoyment and confidence you provided all the students is a legacy you should know is lasting through the years."
-from Parent of Former Student & Choir Member
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"You are amazing. Thank you for all you do for these kids. They were clearly so proud of themselves last evening . . . and I think it is because you know just how much to challenge and stretch them while being supportive and insuring that they are successful."
-from 2nd Grade Parent

"Thanks to David Salyers my daughters are both entrenched in performing arts. Both girls were members of David's chorus where it all began. It was these earlier experiences that opened the gateway for a love of music and performing that will last a lifetime! Hats off to David!"
-from Parent of Former Students & Choir Members

STUDENT COMMENTS

"I just wanted to say thank you. You influenced my life in ways you probably don’t know. I’m now going to college in a year for a BFA in musical theatre. I’ve been to Europe to sing around Italy, and have been in many many musicals. I never would have been here if you hadn’t inspired me in 4th grade to keep singing. . . . Thank you for showing me how to dream. I will never stop.
-from Former Youth Chorale Member

"Even on the day I was conducting the class before the concert I just felt electric. I've always wanted to compose music as a hobby and create beautiful choral pieces. Thank you so much for this opportunity and helping me realize how much I love music."
-from High School Choir Member/Student Conductor

"You were my grade school music teacher. I haven't seen you since I was eight and I'm seventeen now and you've been my inspiration to sing. Soon after you departed calf pen I joined the united girls choir, which had to be the best experience ever. Thanks to you I have an ear for music and I love to sing. . . I can't stop singing! I just wanted to thank you. You introduced me to a world of beautiful music and I cannot be more grateful. You were and will always be my favorite music teacher."
-from Former Elementary School Student
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"We had an amazing time in Albany, it was truly life changing. Ms. Ellsworth was an amazing conductor, but as great as she was, to me, personally, I think you're the best. I wish that you could have seen our performance and I know you wanted to. She did a lot of the same exercises that you do but there's one that we might all agree on sharing."
-from 5th Grade Student
(I was unable to attend All-State Honor Choir that year because Hurricane Irene grounded me in the Caribbean for a week.)

"I remember being in chorus and singing "Music is Fun" I just wanted to tell you that you have been a huge influence in my life, I mean I'm not the best of singers but I love to be on the stage acting. I just participated in my first play . . . and needless to say I have been bitten I absolutely love it. I just wanted to say thanks and good luck in all you do."
​-from Former Elementary School Student