References

(Private High School)

"In 20 years of Waldorf teaching, I have seen the important role that singing plays in the classroom. It builds a harmonious social life. It serves as a link between the curriculum and the contemporary world. Sam Leopold, with whom I have enjoyed collaborating, has the capacity to inspire and involve young people. His enthusiasm is infectious, before you know it everyone is involved in singing, songwriting and deepening their connection with music. Sam is a charismatic performer. He has great personal warmth and his tremendous humor brings joy. These combined with his natural connection with young people make his offerings both pedagogically valuable and greatly entertaining."

Bonnie Manacas
Green Meadow Waldorf School
Spring Valley, New York

"The deep understanding of music, harmonies, chords, and styles that I acquired with you made it possible to really develop my own style and express myself when I began to take private voice lessons.

I feel that music will always be a part of my soul. The encouragement that you gave me and the patience with which you taught made me feel more confident about myself in those difficult years of high school."

................................................................................

Sam Leopold began working with our teenagers with intellectual disabilities at Warrah School on 24th of October 2002 for weekly sessions.

Sam had immediate rapport with the students. They felt accepted and quite comfortable in his presence. Quite quickly, those who had been withdrawn and repressed began to express their ideas for songs. They felt that they had someone interested in what they had to offer and their ideas validated to be worthwhile.

Sam's great talent to improvise and create in the moment with a vast array of different musical styles on the acoustic guitar was impressive. His music superb! Sam also had the wonderful skill to keep things focused on track when any scattered chaotic thoughts began to dissipate the session too much. There was a fantastic sensitive interplay between a feeling of full creative freedom and a sense of form.

The students collaborated with Sam to create many wonderful songs of high standard.
The joy etched on their faces when they performed their songs was certainly a profound and memorable moment for their life experience!

This work will continue in the coming year as we value the enormous benefits such creative music sessions engender. The boost to self-esteem and feeling of achievement for those who usually encounter limitations in life was a rewarding pleasure to witness.

Liz Hamilton
Class Teacher, Warrah School
New South Wales, Australia

................................................................................

It was immediately apparent that Sam had an enormous amount to offer to our students and a surprising empathy with and understanding of their interests and issues. He also has a wonderful ability to translate these issues and interests into lyrical and musical forms that the students relate to and become involved in. From my own experience in Music Therapy, I observed that for most of the students there have been clear therapeutic outcomes in having this opportunity to express themselves through music and in having this form of acknowledgement and recognition.

................................................................................

This letter is to testify that Mr. Sam Leopold had a Song Writing Workshop for the secondary students at the Hokkaido International School every Saturday morning from October 2001 to March 2002.

During his workshop, Mr. Leopold taught students how to write songs by reflecting on their life. The result was remarkable. Mr. Leopold and 3 students who did not have any previous song writing experience worked together and were able to make a superb school song, which truly reflects on our students' life, hopes, and experiences.

The Hokkaido International School Choir is looking forward to presenting this song in the end of year concert at the Sapporo Concert Hall in May 2002.

................................................................................

Mr. Sam Leopold has been working with HIS high school students for the past six months in a program of his design to bring out their song-writing abilities. In this program, he has successfully worked with three HIS high school students who have, under his guidance, written a number of songs including a new school song which will be performed by our choir. I would recommend Mr. Leopold's program to schools interested in pursuing or promoting song writing among their children.
Mr. Leopold's approach is very student-centered and he works with the kids to get them talking about issues that they care about in their song writing. Much of his discussion centers around issues of identity, belonging, and experiencing. Issues related to being a teenager and to self-discovery are evident in much of the song writing his students do.

Mr. Leopold, as a long time resident of Japan, is very culturally sensitive and aware, and his program would be appropriate for either international or domestic schools. He is capable of helping students discuss and deal with issues of identity, race, and belonging, which are so prevalent in international schools as well as in public schools in America these days.
I was happy to have Mr. Leopold working with HIS students and I feel that they had a very positive experience with him this year. I recommend him and his songwriting program for any school interested in providing its students with this avenue for self-exploration and musical growth.

Sincerely,

Wayne Rutherford
Headmaster, Hokkaido International School

................................................................................

Sam's songwriting workshop is an ideal opportunity for schools to address the concerns of adolescents through creative education that gives students the ability to write songs which express their lives, and gives them a picture of the demands and rewards of professionalism in music.

Peter Glasby
For the College of Teachers
Mt. Barker Waldorf School
Mt. Barker, Australia

................................................................................

I can wholeheartedly recommend Sam Leopold for any music teaching or performance opportunity for which he is being considered.

................................................................................

(Private High School)

I think the importance of a workshop like this is to be inspirational as much as anything else. It was good that (Sam) played to the students - they liked that.

It was also beneficial for them to have some concrete ideas about songwriting. (Sam) has a different way of dealing with the major/minor chords of a scale and it's good to get them thinking in linear fashion (and not just) primary, I, IV, V, and secondary, II, III, VI.

Nick Palmer
Music Teacher, Korowal School
New South Wales, Australia

................................................................................

(Private High School)

It was easy to participate in the workshop. I wasn't shy to speak at all. My favourite part was writing the song. I really liked the workshop.

Jesse Walker
Student, Korowal School
New South Wales, Australia

................................................................................

I think the warm-up/relaxation session was really good in creating an atmosphere in which to read the lyrics and work on their ideas. You were able to draw things out of the students, being a stranger and also a singer-songwriter of the type of songs they like. With more time you could develop the 'arranging' side of things. (Next time) longer workshop!

Christian Lillicrap
Music Teacher, Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School
New South Wales, Australia

................................................................................

I felt the students needed an outlet through which they could express their joys and experiences, but more importantly their angst, anger and sadness. The examination of "their" CD's and songs was also very useful in establishing an environment of personal sharing… overall, a wonderful experience. Many thanks, Sam

Manu Prasad
Music Teacher, Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School
New South Wales, Australia

................................................................................

Working with Sam Leopold was an experience I will remember for the rest of my life. I went to him positive I wanted to be a musician but inconfident about my current body of work and uncertain if a future in the music industry was a possibility for a kid like me. Leopold helped me put words to my emotions about the world around me, hear and break down modes of music I would have otherwise never heard, and truly related to me as a friend. I was able to gain the confidence I needed to grow as a musician and to follow a life in music. Sam Leopold was a born musician and a genuine gift to have as a teacher.