THE WALDEN SCHOOL
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The five weeks I spent at the Walden School in 1974 stand out as one of the most important influences in my life. For the first time, I realized that there were people who were just as excited about creating and performing music as I was, and were willing to help each other to achieve our goals. I also appreciated the power of having friends whom I could rely on for sharing personal secrets and encouraging me to pursue my dreams. Besides being highly knowledgeable, the staff consisted of energetic teachers and mentors. One fellow was such a major factor in helping me to overcome my natural shyness that I continue to visit him even though he lives in Paris.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
This organization completely changed the way that I look at life and deal with other people.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I would want to publicize the Walden School even more than they are already doing, so everyone would know about their accomplishments.
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How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
How did you find this group?
I was taking a Musicianship class with David Hogan each Saturday morning at the Peabody Institute in Baltimore; he was also the head of the Walden School at that time.
What, if any, change in your life has this group encouraged?
The Walden School taught me how important it is to build a network of people who can trust each other and rely on each other through good times and bad. I have maintained that philosophy as I later created my own company and pursued my life's goals.
When I reflect on my greatest influences in life, The Walden School ranks at the top. There are few places that offer such an intensive education and, beyond this, transformative experience than Walden.
I was a student at Walden for 6 years, and in the nearly 20 years since my student years, continue to view Walden as one of the outstanding experiences of life. I have never encountered an institution that combines such rigorous education with a supportive, inclusive environment. Walden teaches not only music theory and composition at an advanced level, but inspires a love for the field that, in so many other settings has been lost or tarnished.
More feedback...
How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
I joined the board of Walden and have been actively involved in helping, but I'm learning what an amazing organization it is. I've been working with non-profits professionally for 30 years, and I can say with certainty that Walden delivers a great program, is fiscally healthy and also is very prudent in its budget and expenses. The leadership shown by staff, board and faculty is at the very highest level.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
hearing from people who attended the program what a difference it made in their lives and seeing the kind of leaders that are Walden alumni.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
not need to. It's great as is. I'd give it more money so it could do even more good for young people.
The Walden School manages to create a quality of community every summer that is quite simply unparalleled. As a donor and member of that community for over ten years, I cannot recommend support of this organization enough. In a world that feels increasingly disconnected, It is wonderous to know that islands of authentic, supportive community such as the Walden School still exist. Additionally, I can personally attest to the quality of the musical education offered. As a student at both the Walden School Young Musicians Program and the Walden School Teacher Training Institute, I gained truly valuable knowledge in numerous areas of instruction covering a broad array of core musical skills that have proved invaluable. As an appreciator and creator of music, I thank the excellent teachers of the Walden School for imparting an essential framework of fundamental musical concepts that I feel blessed to possess today.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
My own personal musical growth.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
No changes requested.
The Walden School is an American musical treasure. I attended this summer camp for young composers in the New Hampshire woods in the late 1980s. I showed up with no previous composition experience and wrote a piece in my first summer that won a California state composition competition and was a runner up in a national competition. Other summers produced more prize-winning competitions, but the best thing about Walden was the people and the experience. Friends I made there as an awkward teenager remain some of the best friends of my life. It's a wonderful family of diverse music lovers. I've been back to visit in recent years and it's gotten even better. I never became a serious musician, but I'd love to go back to another summer at Walden.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Great friendships for life. Wonderful music produced by its students that I've had the privilege of hearing performed.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I wouldn't change a thing.
i attended this music camp for six years and it was a profoundly transformative experience. i'm grateful every day for the hard work adn dedication of the teaachers and that i got to learn at a young age what it feels like to live in a world where art, creativity, innovation and experimentation are encouraged and nurtured.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
i am a professional musician and every day that i make music i draw on the skills i learned at Walden. i'm not a classical musician, and i think it was Walden that taught me that you can create a life in music outside of the accepted channels, an inherently creative life.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
have more components that are non-classical.
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