Camper's Words
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"...it has been a really exciting experience, and I am so
appreciative of relationships I have built here. I hope to
reflect upon this experience a lot as I continue to explore
cello playing and teaching."
"What a privilege it has been to spend these past four days
with this community! The format of the mornings really did
prepare for the rest of the day creating peace and new
knowledge."
"I learned a lot about just relaxing. It's pretty funny how
hard it is to just let go."
"Playing the cello is hard. It can be elusive and frustrating.....
But I want to play. And more than that, I need to play. I need to
play more than I'm afraid to fail. So I keep going."
"For me, creating music is challenging...I feel that I'm pushing
myself away from it. I don't consciously want that to happen but
for some reason ....... letting go of my protective tensions is
terrifying. I don't think I have any idea of what being fully relaxed
feels like, but I imagine that I could do so much more, not just in
music, but in every area of my life."
"Music is everywhere, just waiting to be captured. I interpret, I
look at the lake, and I see the rhythm of ripples, blades of grass
dancing to with the breeze. My heart keeps time as my emotions
create a dynamic concert. The orchestra of life and nature never
rests and supplies me with music every day. But though I love it, I
also envy it."
"The theme of the camp is very unique and I
have gotten a lot out of the experience. I feel much calmer and I
hope to retain this when I return to my daily activities/schedule."
"The mind is more powerful than the body and with the help of
these few days at CelloChanWoods, I understand how to allow
them to work together."
"There were deep conversations and surface ones, but I think the
time allotted for students to listen and communicate to and with
each other was priceless."
"I'm very excited to explore the relationship between stillness and
motion and utilize this awareness of my body as it relates to cello
playing. The silence rule in the mornings aided this learning. I
always wanted to chat with others during snack time and
transitions but the reminder (during yesterdays morning talk by
Suzanne) about why we remain silent and focused was much
appreciated."
"I feel that Trager, combined with the general approach of
CelloChanWoods, is helping me to find the connection between
cello, mind and body. I can see in students that they feel the
same. Although we have all learned to become aware of many
good things, (how to sit, new ways of thinking) we are also more
aware of the specific things we have to work on."
"All of the counselors were amazing. Seriously, they did a great
job.......I got so much help with my piece, and a lot of tools to work
on it in the future."
".... these four short days have helped me greatly as a cellist and person."
"I now know how to practice challenging spots better and, that the music is in me, not in the score."
"..being present/aware while playing, not in my usual worrying-micromanaging way, makes a huge difference in the experience of playing."
"It was an enlightening enterprise, has helped me build more confidence in myself, and clarified the use of my bow arm."
"I don't think there was a person who didn't benefit from the meditation."