teaching testimonials
Lisette has had the immense pleasure of working with many recorder enthusiasts from around the country. Read what they have to say about Lisette and her classes and workshops:
Online Teaching Testimonials
“Wow- what a wonderful selection of music! Duets work so well with Zoom and your helping us with embellishments was so clear, helpful, and beautiful. You did such a wonderful job of blending playing, wonderful music, and learning.” - Win Aldrich (CA), Orange County Recorder Society
“I really enjoyed your class and learned a lot. It was a great selection of duets with something (actually many things!) interesting and beneficial to learn in each one. Thanks so much for your insights and guidance.” - Gary White (PA), Amherst Early Music Online
“What a fine class you gave. And how much better suited to a video class than an in-person class it was! As a video class, we can go at whatever speed you want, and the Bach was much fun. We could never do that as a group. We are also free to improvise, ornament at will, experiment with all that -- which would not work well with people trying to "play together". With the arpeggios, we have the luxury of doing them at whatever speed and rhythm are useful during that part of the class. So -- technique, duets, different musical styles -- one of the clear 'sweet spots' for video group teaching. Thank you again for the fine class.” - Dan Bloomberg (CA), AEM Online
“Lisette is an excellent presenter, knowledgeable, patient. Her teaching style is warm, enthusiastic and supportive. Couldn't ask for more!” - Kathy Kuhrt (NY State)
“I had the pleasure of being in one of Lisette’s (online) classes and found it to be a wonderful experience! Her wide knowledge of music and composers, her technique and articulation guidance, and her positive support and enthusiasm all contributed to an excellent recorder playing opportunity.” - Monica B. (Washington, D.C.)
from American Recorder Society Beginners’ Level 2 Class
Lisette was an excellent teacher! I was really impressed that she had an agenda and package for the sessions. Thanks so much for providing these lessons and such an excellent teacher!
Thanks to Lisette for her terrific instruction style, well-explained information and tips.
Class was wonderful!! Great pace & introduced some new practice techniques & playing ideas.
Lisette was wonderful, easy to follow, just the right speed and has an effective system for keeping track of how fast to proceed.
Lisette provided a relaxed, enjoyable, yet challenging learning environment. I liked how she fielded questions from students by giving interesting, knowledgeable, expanded explanations in areas “beyond” the lesson book. The class was heavy on articulation, breathing and tonality which was GREAT! It is hard to understand fully those concepts on your own. I would highly recommend taking a group lesson with Lisette - or even better private lessons if your circumstances permit.
It was with much pleasure and satisfaction that I attended the ARS sponsored recorder class. The skills of the instructor made these four one-hour periods very helpful to not only recorder beginners but also those who have played for a few years. The design and performance of each class was progressive and built carefully on the accomplishments of the previous class. I was very pleased to see how closely Ms. Kielson came to making her virtual class so similar to that of an in-person recorder lesson.
Class & Workshop Testimonials
"I am so grateful to have worked w/ Lisette - her musicality, professionalism and graciousness will stick with me for a long time to come." - SFEMS Recorder Workshop
"Lisette is an amazing teacher; I have taken 2 of her classes now and her ability to teach students at different levels together is a gift. She is always patient, encouraging, and positive--not critical or threatening, which is so important for learning something new at all ages."
"The master class really is amazing. Lisette works well with highly advanced participants as well as beginners. She is so creative. It’s like her head is a bubble machine with her thoughts and ideas being the bubbles floating out! Fantastic!"
"What I love is that Lisette has a standard and she doesn’t waver. She suggests ways for less adept (experienced) players to adapt, but she maintains her great high standards."
"Lisette, you’re really one of the best teachers/conductors that I’ve experienced."
- Marian McGarry, WI
"It must be very challenging for an instructor to teach a group lesson with students of varying background and abilities – Lisette met the challenge so that we were all able to learn and develop individually. She was always positive and encouraging so that class was fun and "non-threatening." She is an excellent teacher – not only very knowledgeable, but also able to present material very clearly and in a well-organized manner."
"You have a very down-to-earth, encouraging, and non-threatening personality as well as a seemingly boundless well of energy & enthusiasm, which gave the class a thoroughly good atmosphere."
"Lisette—You have a perfect combination of serious professionalism & wonderful good humor."
"Your positive, upbeat, personal approach, care & concern for others, and emphasis on learning and having fun. Your depth of knowledge and skill—musically, technically, of the repertoire, of the recorder, of conducting & directing—awesome! Your ability to prepare a concert-ready piece with a varied and unfamiliar group in record time! Lisette – This has been one of the best and fun workshop classes I’ve ever attended. I was deeply impressed with your knowledge and skill! I can’t get enough of what you’re offering. BRAVO Lisette!!" - P. Scott Hewitt
"The practice session in preparation for performance shifted us as a group from a tattered collectivity to an incredibly ‘in sync’ ensemble. And guess who was responsible? You, Lisette. What you bring to the teaching process is the concept that EVERY note should be thoughtful. I say this at every opportunity, so I say it again here: what ever we have to do to keep you in our musical lives, we should do!" - Marian McGarry, WI
"Patience, encouragement rather than scolding. Wonderful technical help. I’m looking forward to practicing. I never hit those high notes before." - Whitewater Early Music Festival
"Thank you for your encouragement and for what you do for recorder players." - Ed Grys
"The teacher’s manner of working with the group—encouraging, insightful—being in this class was like a refreshing oasis. Nice balance of sitting/standing, individual vs. group. The breathing was extremely helpful." - Whitewater Early Music Festival
"I liked the pace of this class and your calm, encouraging teaching style! Thanks, Lisette!"
- Denise Wiggins, WI
"Excellent class, totally centered teacher. Wish I could take private lessons." - Barry Jones
"After 30+ years I’ve finally learned more about French style! (In one day!)" - Nancy Chabala, IL
"Your descriptions with words & example playing or singing were so easy to understand—and remember! Also, you were so positive about our efforts even with us missing the mark—you complimented & then went on to help us get things right before going on. You are a very clear teacher. It was an honor to be there. Thank you."
- Toni Putnam, IL
"Your selection of a clear theme and choice of music to illustrate various aspects of that theme is outstanding." - Obie Oberst, WI
"Knowledge of repertoire remarkable. I can't see how it could be better!" - Carol Stanger, IL
"Lisette is the best thing about the workshop!" - Carolyn Sweers, WI
"The instructor’s great enthusiasm! She obviously loves teaching this course and takes it very seriously, providing great encouragement for the students. I also liked the music selections and simply being part of an ensemble. And the instructor was excellent, as I’ve said!"
"Enthusiasm of presenter. Gave us challenging music, but was very tolerant of lesser skilled players. Helped bring us up toward the level she wanted rather than lowering standards. A great workshop." - André Rollefson, AR
"Lisette was highly successful at getting superb results from our ensemble. She is engaging and has a personality that elicits a positive response from participants. Great joy—you’re a joy!"
"I was very pleased with this course. I especially liked that we didn’t just practice/play, but were given very practical and interesting instruction techniques for practicing, style, expression, etc."
"Lisette is a fantastic conductor! She keeps the group together and moving along. She helps us play very challenging music successfully." - Ginny Dodson, WI
"I felt that the level of music/performance expectations were just about perfectly matched to our group! Lisette, this was delightful, expertly managed with part assignments, seating, technical corrections so lightly handled that it didn’t feel like direction at all." - David Grindrod, WI
"The variety of musical styles & Lisette’s conducting skill, which helped us bring life to each selection." - JM, MO