May Erlewine, Seth Bernard, Michael Shimmin and Mike Lynch performing for 600 students at the Cheboygan Opera House.
OS4K Testimonials
What a treat to have On Stage 4 Kids at our school. The music was terrific, and the personalities even better. Our students were clapping and singing along with the performers, and listening to their message of acceptance, diversity, and gratefulness. What wonderful souls these three were. THANKS for sharing your gift of music and love!
Teacher, Concord Academy Boyne
Teacher, Concord Academy Boyne
We were extremely pleased with this program. For middle school students, keeping their attention for extended periods of time can be a daunting task. The dialogue with the students, information given, and music played were a great combination. Our student body was captivated and smiling for the duration of the assembly. Well done!
Boyne City Middle School Principal
Boyne City Middle School Principal
I have had great comments from both my students and staff members about the performance. One of my staff said her daughter and son went right home, got out their guitars and started playing and also that they were drumming on the way to school this morning. Students have said they really liked it and enjoyed the music.
Lake City Elementary School Principal
Lake City Elementary School Principal
The performance was highly engaging. My students thoroughly enjoyed the professional music. The music was high quality despite the limitations of our gym. All the performers made a connection with my students as they explained and demonstrated the wide range and capabilities of their instruments. The musician's message to "communicate and listen" that was woven into the presentation reverberated with me, and I hope, my students. I know that it did touch many. It was a priceless takeaway that spans every aspect of life.
Mancelona High School Principal
Mancelona High School Principal
The Josh Davis Trio performance was exceptional! Students in grades K-12 not only enjoyed the performance but learned valuable lessons about the importance of communication and community. Each musician was incredibly talented and spoke to the students about their profession and gave interesting information about the instruments that they play. The elementary / middle school / high school performances were geared to each grade level. We loved it!!
Bellaire Public Schools, K-8 Principal
Bellaire Public Schools, K-8 Principal
I am a kindergarten teacher at Patricia St. Clair Elementary in Hesperia, Michigan and I want to tell you how pleased we were with the On Stage 4 Kids assembly we enjoyed on October 6. Josh, Mike, and Mike did a wonderful job engaging the kindergarten through fourth grade students at our school. From the very beginning kids were clapping, tapping, and dancing in their seats. They were very interested in the instruments as the musicians explained and demonstrated them. Later, back in the room, I had students still talking about the assembly!
Thank you so much for this wonderful opportunity for our students to experience music in a special way!
Patricia St. Clair Elementary
___________________________________________________________________________________
Our school recently had the opportunity to enjoy a wonderful performance! On Stage 4 Kids is not only entertaining, but inspirational as well. I believe our students walked away that afternoon with more than a smile on their face. The On Stage 4 Kids performance gave them an opportunity to see first hand what passion, hard work, and dedication can accomplish. Thank you all for what you do!
Teacher, Concord Academy Boyne
___________________________________________________________________________________
The students were very engaged throughout the presentation. The musicians were very entertaining and shared their knowledge with the students. You can tell that they really enjoy performing and educating others about music. Thank you so much for coming to our school!
Teacher, Concord Academy Boyne
___________________________________________________________________________________
Well done Guys! That was the perfect presentation for a large group of high school students. The music was fabulous! I think tying in information about the instruments, the business, your personal lives, and life lessons was done in a way that was meaningful to the students. Thank you for your time and energy. Your investment in this age group is certainly a positive thing!
Teacher/Parent Mancelona High School
___________________________________________________________________________________
On Stage 4 Kids performed for our students here at Grayling Elementary School, it was a great pleasure to have your organization put on a wonderful assembly. It was, by far, one of the best assemblies I've seen in my 25 years in education. Josh Davis and his two friends entertained our students for 2 one-hour concerts and connected with our 2nd - 5th graders. Their message of "follow your dreams" and "be the best community member you can possible be" was very well communicated.
I would love to have them back in our building every year. If you have the opportunity to schedule them, do so without hesitation!
Assistant Principal
Grayling Elementary School
___________________________________________________________________________________
It was very nice to have "On Stage 4 Kids" perform for our students at Grayling middle school. Our student body really enjoyed the 1 hour assembly. They interacted with our students, creating a learning opportunity about the instruments they were playing and provided great entertainment at the same time.
Principal
Grayling Middle School
___________________________________________________________________________________
Thank you for providing excellent programming that engaged our students. The messages On Stage 4 Kids conveyed appealed to a diverse audience of musical tastes and experiences. Life lessons are everywhere...thanks, again, for bringing your wisdom to our community.
Communities In Schools staff, Mancelona High School
___________________________________________________________________________________
I personally liked the performance. I thought it was really cool and I liked how they performed songs. I was very happy that I got to see Josh Davis perform at my school. I also saw him on the voice and thought he did really well. I liked how they talked about how they loved to play music and they made a career out of it and encouraged us to do the same. meaning do what you love and don't stop if you love it! :)
Student, Mancelona Middle School
___________________________________________________________________________________
I really like how we got to participate in the event. Also, I loved the music they played and how they told their own story to us. Their songs were really inspirational to me as a student. I want to take the inspiration they gave me and make my own songs to sing. Thank you for coming to our school and inspiring many of us.
Student, Mancelona Middle School
___________________________________________________________________________________
We had the pleasure of having On Stage 4 Kids perform for our students here at Leland Public School in March of 2015. It was, by far, one of the best assemblies I've seen in my 34 years in education. Josh Davis and his two friends entertained our students for 3 one-hour concerts and connected with all levels of students from Kindergarten to Grade 12. Not only are they great musicians, they are great teachers.
I would love to have them back in our building every year. If you have the opportunity to schedule them, do so without hesitation!
Principal Leland Public School
___________________________________________________________________________________
I was impressed with On Stage 4 Kids because they were able to engage the students at their level and help kids understand more about the way music is put together and the way musicians interact. All of the students mentioned how fun the presentation was and how it changed the way they thought about the way music is put together. The musicianship was very strong from all three of the presenters!
Music Teacher
Cherryland Middle School
Elk Rapids High School
__________________________________________________________________________________
So, I have been involved with 30 plus years of assemblies. On Stage 4 Kids was by far the best one I have been involved with. The guys on the stage were genuine, fun and conveyed some powerful messages. I was shocked and pleased with what my 5 year olds came out of there with. Two of my favorite quotes when asked, “Did you learn anything at the assembly today?”:
“Well, when you are learning something new, you might not get it in the first minute…you just have to keep trying and having fun!”
“Now I know why you keep telling us we really need to talk to each other and use our words!”
Pretty amazing insights from an assembly that lasted less than an hour and was also very fun! Those guys were powerful in such a friendly, respectful and honest way. They truly knew how to talk to our Kindergarten through 5th grade students.
Thank you for the opportunity provided for our kids.
Elementary School Teacher
Lakeland Elementary School
Elk Rapids
_________________________________________________________________________________
The guys did a great job and both schools loved them. They had kids playing and singing along with them at both locations, they were very informative about music, the arts, personal passions and spreading kindness throughout life. After the performance in Ellsworth, we had a little extra time for the band kids to ask questions and continue improvising with the band. Another class came back to hear more!
Music Teacher
Ellsworth Community Schools
_________________________________________________________________________________
I am a teacher at Leelanau Montessori and my class attended the event held at Suttons Bay High School. Some of the things my students enjoyed were singing along with the band and hearing about the different instruments and how the musicians began playing. I loved how the musicians shared their personal journey of how they began playing music and how they expressed the importance of following your dreams and doing something you love (children do not hear that enough). I appreciated the musicians' passion and energy on stage and look forward to their return next year.
Lower Elementary Guide
Leelanau Montessori Public School Academy
___________________________________________________________________________________
The presentation was a huge success! I have heard many wonderful comments on how much the kids enjoyed the performance. A guide from one of the classrooms said it was a 10+. Thank you for making this great opportunity for our kids happen.
Office Manager
Leelanau Montessori Public School Academy
___________________________________________________________________________________
Mike (to Mike Lynch) -
You guys were great... it was very rewarding for me to see how you, Seth, and Dan affected my students with your performance. I don't know if you even realize it, but you really did connect with them... I know it's hard to tell sometimes with kids! But, you really did draw them out of their shells and (I think and I certainly hope) inspire them to explore their own creative potential. That's important work in this life, and I appreciate it. Thanks again, and I look forward to seeing you again before too long. Keep holding up high that torch in the dark and lighting the way for those who someday will take that same torch and run with it, lighting the way for those who follow in their own wake.
Teacher, Northwest Academy
Charlevoix
___________________________________________________________________________________
Me and my classmates loved your performance. Especially me. I loved all the different kinds of music that I never heard of. I loved the percussion/tambourines most of all. I couldn't decide between keyboard/accordion or guitar/ukulele, they were all so good. It made me want to listen to different kinds of music more often, and got me into learning about different cultures. So thank you for the amazing experience. I hope to see you again.
Student at Boyne Falls Public School
___________________________________________________________________________________
I just wanted to give thanks to you for coming to Northwest Academy and putting on the amazing show you guys did. Pulling me up on the stage was a bit terrifying, yet fun!!!
Student at Northwest Academy
___________________________________________________________________________________
On Stage 4 Kids came to East Jordan Elementary today and they were fantastic. The kids were engaged and in awe of their wonderful music and stories. Seth, Mike and Mike have many unique talents that were an incredible experience for our school kids K-6.
Teacher, East Jordan Elementary School
___________________________________________________________________________________
One of my students with special needs was so moved by Seth and Dan's performance that he not only raised his hand to tell them how awesome they were (this is a HUGE, HUGE deal for this kid), but he shared with me that he really wants to become a musician. I am so grateful to have been able to share this experience with my students and colleagues. It was a wonderful assembly that the adults enjoyed just as much as the kids. I am so glad that Seth is willing to share his gift and love with his hometown friends!
Teacher, Lake City Schools
___________________________________________________________________________________
Boyne City Public Schools enthusiastically offers this letter of support to bring the On Stage 4 Kids program to the schools located in Charlevoix County. I have viewed several clips of this group's past performances and I have found that On Stage 4 Kids is a prime example of quality programming that I believe needs to be brought to our county's students.
Several reasons support my belief that On Stage 4 Kids would be most welcome in our schools.
1. It is difficult to find and entice high-quality programs to northwest Michigan.
2. Programs of this quality are not always affordable on individual school budgets.
3. Students who are involved with the performing arts will be particularly engaged and form a special connection with the on-stage performers.
4. Those students who might want to "follow their own dreams" of a career as a performer might just find some motivation and inspiration from viewing the program. This will be especially possible if the performers will share their own "road to success" experiences.
5. All students will find the music and instrument playing a very enjoyable experience...just as I did!
As stated above, this is quality programming our students need to experience. With district budgets the way they are now, schools cannot provide this type of programming without financial help. All three of our buildings (Elementary, Middle School and High School) would certainly benefit and enjoy being audience to these performers.
I wholeheartedly support the Foundation's efforts in securing a grant that will make On Stage 4 Kids possible to our children.
I thank you in advance and please know how appreciative the Boyne City Public School District is toward the Foundation's continued support in many other areas.
Superintendent
Boyne City Schools
Thank you so much for this wonderful opportunity for our students to experience music in a special way!
Patricia St. Clair Elementary
___________________________________________________________________________________
Our school recently had the opportunity to enjoy a wonderful performance! On Stage 4 Kids is not only entertaining, but inspirational as well. I believe our students walked away that afternoon with more than a smile on their face. The On Stage 4 Kids performance gave them an opportunity to see first hand what passion, hard work, and dedication can accomplish. Thank you all for what you do!
Teacher, Concord Academy Boyne
___________________________________________________________________________________
The students were very engaged throughout the presentation. The musicians were very entertaining and shared their knowledge with the students. You can tell that they really enjoy performing and educating others about music. Thank you so much for coming to our school!
Teacher, Concord Academy Boyne
___________________________________________________________________________________
Well done Guys! That was the perfect presentation for a large group of high school students. The music was fabulous! I think tying in information about the instruments, the business, your personal lives, and life lessons was done in a way that was meaningful to the students. Thank you for your time and energy. Your investment in this age group is certainly a positive thing!
Teacher/Parent Mancelona High School
___________________________________________________________________________________
On Stage 4 Kids performed for our students here at Grayling Elementary School, it was a great pleasure to have your organization put on a wonderful assembly. It was, by far, one of the best assemblies I've seen in my 25 years in education. Josh Davis and his two friends entertained our students for 2 one-hour concerts and connected with our 2nd - 5th graders. Their message of "follow your dreams" and "be the best community member you can possible be" was very well communicated.
I would love to have them back in our building every year. If you have the opportunity to schedule them, do so without hesitation!
Assistant Principal
Grayling Elementary School
___________________________________________________________________________________
It was very nice to have "On Stage 4 Kids" perform for our students at Grayling middle school. Our student body really enjoyed the 1 hour assembly. They interacted with our students, creating a learning opportunity about the instruments they were playing and provided great entertainment at the same time.
Principal
Grayling Middle School
___________________________________________________________________________________
Thank you for providing excellent programming that engaged our students. The messages On Stage 4 Kids conveyed appealed to a diverse audience of musical tastes and experiences. Life lessons are everywhere...thanks, again, for bringing your wisdom to our community.
Communities In Schools staff, Mancelona High School
___________________________________________________________________________________
I personally liked the performance. I thought it was really cool and I liked how they performed songs. I was very happy that I got to see Josh Davis perform at my school. I also saw him on the voice and thought he did really well. I liked how they talked about how they loved to play music and they made a career out of it and encouraged us to do the same. meaning do what you love and don't stop if you love it! :)
Student, Mancelona Middle School
___________________________________________________________________________________
I really like how we got to participate in the event. Also, I loved the music they played and how they told their own story to us. Their songs were really inspirational to me as a student. I want to take the inspiration they gave me and make my own songs to sing. Thank you for coming to our school and inspiring many of us.
Student, Mancelona Middle School
___________________________________________________________________________________
We had the pleasure of having On Stage 4 Kids perform for our students here at Leland Public School in March of 2015. It was, by far, one of the best assemblies I've seen in my 34 years in education. Josh Davis and his two friends entertained our students for 3 one-hour concerts and connected with all levels of students from Kindergarten to Grade 12. Not only are they great musicians, they are great teachers.
I would love to have them back in our building every year. If you have the opportunity to schedule them, do so without hesitation!
Principal Leland Public School
___________________________________________________________________________________
I was impressed with On Stage 4 Kids because they were able to engage the students at their level and help kids understand more about the way music is put together and the way musicians interact. All of the students mentioned how fun the presentation was and how it changed the way they thought about the way music is put together. The musicianship was very strong from all three of the presenters!
Music Teacher
Cherryland Middle School
Elk Rapids High School
__________________________________________________________________________________
So, I have been involved with 30 plus years of assemblies. On Stage 4 Kids was by far the best one I have been involved with. The guys on the stage were genuine, fun and conveyed some powerful messages. I was shocked and pleased with what my 5 year olds came out of there with. Two of my favorite quotes when asked, “Did you learn anything at the assembly today?”:
“Well, when you are learning something new, you might not get it in the first minute…you just have to keep trying and having fun!”
“Now I know why you keep telling us we really need to talk to each other and use our words!”
Pretty amazing insights from an assembly that lasted less than an hour and was also very fun! Those guys were powerful in such a friendly, respectful and honest way. They truly knew how to talk to our Kindergarten through 5th grade students.
Thank you for the opportunity provided for our kids.
Elementary School Teacher
Lakeland Elementary School
Elk Rapids
_________________________________________________________________________________
The guys did a great job and both schools loved them. They had kids playing and singing along with them at both locations, they were very informative about music, the arts, personal passions and spreading kindness throughout life. After the performance in Ellsworth, we had a little extra time for the band kids to ask questions and continue improvising with the band. Another class came back to hear more!
Music Teacher
Ellsworth Community Schools
_________________________________________________________________________________
I am a teacher at Leelanau Montessori and my class attended the event held at Suttons Bay High School. Some of the things my students enjoyed were singing along with the band and hearing about the different instruments and how the musicians began playing. I loved how the musicians shared their personal journey of how they began playing music and how they expressed the importance of following your dreams and doing something you love (children do not hear that enough). I appreciated the musicians' passion and energy on stage and look forward to their return next year.
Lower Elementary Guide
Leelanau Montessori Public School Academy
___________________________________________________________________________________
The presentation was a huge success! I have heard many wonderful comments on how much the kids enjoyed the performance. A guide from one of the classrooms said it was a 10+. Thank you for making this great opportunity for our kids happen.
Office Manager
Leelanau Montessori Public School Academy
___________________________________________________________________________________
Mike (to Mike Lynch) -
You guys were great... it was very rewarding for me to see how you, Seth, and Dan affected my students with your performance. I don't know if you even realize it, but you really did connect with them... I know it's hard to tell sometimes with kids! But, you really did draw them out of their shells and (I think and I certainly hope) inspire them to explore their own creative potential. That's important work in this life, and I appreciate it. Thanks again, and I look forward to seeing you again before too long. Keep holding up high that torch in the dark and lighting the way for those who someday will take that same torch and run with it, lighting the way for those who follow in their own wake.
Teacher, Northwest Academy
Charlevoix
___________________________________________________________________________________
Me and my classmates loved your performance. Especially me. I loved all the different kinds of music that I never heard of. I loved the percussion/tambourines most of all. I couldn't decide between keyboard/accordion or guitar/ukulele, they were all so good. It made me want to listen to different kinds of music more often, and got me into learning about different cultures. So thank you for the amazing experience. I hope to see you again.
Student at Boyne Falls Public School
___________________________________________________________________________________
I just wanted to give thanks to you for coming to Northwest Academy and putting on the amazing show you guys did. Pulling me up on the stage was a bit terrifying, yet fun!!!
Student at Northwest Academy
___________________________________________________________________________________
On Stage 4 Kids came to East Jordan Elementary today and they were fantastic. The kids were engaged and in awe of their wonderful music and stories. Seth, Mike and Mike have many unique talents that were an incredible experience for our school kids K-6.
Teacher, East Jordan Elementary School
___________________________________________________________________________________
One of my students with special needs was so moved by Seth and Dan's performance that he not only raised his hand to tell them how awesome they were (this is a HUGE, HUGE deal for this kid), but he shared with me that he really wants to become a musician. I am so grateful to have been able to share this experience with my students and colleagues. It was a wonderful assembly that the adults enjoyed just as much as the kids. I am so glad that Seth is willing to share his gift and love with his hometown friends!
Teacher, Lake City Schools
___________________________________________________________________________________
Boyne City Public Schools enthusiastically offers this letter of support to bring the On Stage 4 Kids program to the schools located in Charlevoix County. I have viewed several clips of this group's past performances and I have found that On Stage 4 Kids is a prime example of quality programming that I believe needs to be brought to our county's students.
Several reasons support my belief that On Stage 4 Kids would be most welcome in our schools.
1. It is difficult to find and entice high-quality programs to northwest Michigan.
2. Programs of this quality are not always affordable on individual school budgets.
3. Students who are involved with the performing arts will be particularly engaged and form a special connection with the on-stage performers.
4. Those students who might want to "follow their own dreams" of a career as a performer might just find some motivation and inspiration from viewing the program. This will be especially possible if the performers will share their own "road to success" experiences.
5. All students will find the music and instrument playing a very enjoyable experience...just as I did!
As stated above, this is quality programming our students need to experience. With district budgets the way they are now, schools cannot provide this type of programming without financial help. All three of our buildings (Elementary, Middle School and High School) would certainly benefit and enjoy being audience to these performers.
I wholeheartedly support the Foundation's efforts in securing a grant that will make On Stage 4 Kids possible to our children.
I thank you in advance and please know how appreciative the Boyne City Public School District is toward the Foundation's continued support in many other areas.
Superintendent
Boyne City Schools
