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Testimonials



 

Dear Cathie,

 I am chuffed to let you know that following the completion of a course of study and examination I have been awarded the University of St Andrews Scottish Certificate in Jazz, with special merit in Performance. The  knowledge, experience, and confidence gained as a former student of FDVJW  was invaluable to me on the course and I would like to pass on my thanks again to Fionna and her team

 Beryl MacLean

 

Dear Cathie,

I would like to thank you all at Fiona Duncan workshops for giving Matt such an excellent week.  He said it was the best week he has ever spent.

The support and friendship given to Matt by Fiona, Lianne, yourself and everyone else involved on the course was evident from day one.    I am sure that his week spent in Glasgow will be one he will never forget.

It was wonderful to finally meet you all on Saturday and we thoroughly enjoyed the concert.  Strangely enough two ladies who are involved with Wigan Jazz Club were at the concert, i don't think they could believe it when they saw Matt get up to sing as they had no idea he had been on the course.

Once again thank you and please pass on my thanks to everyone else. 

Gillian Roughley

 

Dear Cathie,

Many thanks for the week at the course. I have learned so much that I never even considered before. I was totally dumb-struck at the professional standard that you all displayed so naturally, many thanks to Sophie for her guidance, Fionna for just being herself and taking no shit in a way only Fionna Duncan can do, Ronnie Rae whom I love dearly, Gina for relaxing me and Freddie King for sorting me out. Have to mention Sandie, Barbara Morrison, she certainly knows how to do it! and last but by no means least the legendary Sheila Jordan. As a total beginner who has never sang before you all contributed to my week in a great way, this was obvious when I actually got up and sang. I cannot put into words the feelings which engulfed me and still do whilst reflecting on the course.

Once again many thanks and you will definitely see me again. Sorry if I missed anybody out.

Cha Tierney

 

Hi Tom, could you put the following on our website testimonial page please? They come from the "anonymous" workshop questionnaires that we have the students fill out at the end of each course. These are from the workshop in Glasgow 2-6 July 2002.

  • "Can't wait to do this again."
  • "Learned a lot about myself."
  • "Thank you for a wonderful week, really enjoyed myself."
  • "Am so pleased I plucked up the courage to come on this course."
  • "I will tell everyone to come on this course. A fantastic experience and
    life will never be the same again."
  • "It's tough trying to change your style of singing but this is what it's
    about. When's the next course!? "
  • "Thank you, my heart is warm and overflowing. I've had so much fun and
    would love to do this again."
  • "I searched the internet for a course in Europe dedicated to vocal jazz and
    this is the only one I found."
  • "Thank God for Fionna Duncan and her team.

Dear Cathie,

Receiving the newsletter has reminded me that I wanted to thank everyone who organised, played and tutored at the jazz workshop in Edinburgh. Having recently been made redundant, I've been pretty down-in-the-dumps, and my mum twisted my arm and booked me onto the workshop when I didn't really want to attend. I found day one nervewracking, but after singing my first song on day two, I never looked back and thoroughly enjoyed the whole week. The standard of tuition and accompanying musicians was terrific, and well worth the money. Thanks for lifting my spirits, helping me find a new interest and meet interesting people. Well done to everyone involved,

Regards

Jess Collins

Dear Fionna,
Please find letter attached. I haven't had the computer very long, so I don't know how to make it do what I want.
                                            I'm sure the thing is alive! Carolyn

Dear Fionna,

I hope this finds you well, and doing plenty of gigs.

You may not remember me by name, but I came on the Glasgow Jazz Singers' Course last July (I'm the one who sang "I Thought about You" in the end- of -course concert).

I wanted to let you know how I'm getting on, but more particularly, how much benefit I have gained from the course.

As soon as I saw your course advertised in the Glasgow Jazz Festival brochure I was excited about it. It looked like exactly what I wanted, and turned out to be even better than I could have hoped. The whole course was excellent. I've been singing its praises to anyone who might be interested ever
since.

Since I returned from the course, my standard, both in singing and general performance, has clearly improved. I haven't been doing that many gigs; though some have been, for me, quite prestigious; so I do check my notes when I prepare so that it's all fresh in my mind. As time goes on, what I've learnt is becoming more a part of the way that I sing: that includes not screwing my
face up all the time! I'm thrilled at the difference that the course tuition has made.

I love the music, and I love singing, and as my singing skills have improved, so the pleasure has grown. I cannot describe adequately the sheer joy that I have experienced at times on gigs since my return from Glasgow. You must know that feeling very well.

My biggest bit of news is that I have been booked to perform at a Jazz Festival on the Isle of Wight in September this year. If this comes to fruition then it will be the biggest gig I've done, and I'm thrilled to have been asked. I say "if" because I haven't signed the contract yet, and I'm trying not to count chickens! I've booked two excellent musicians to come with me. I was surprised they agreed, but am extremely glad, and feel privileged that they did so.

I was told that you are working on a new album. I'd like to buy a copy when it's finished, so perhaps someone could let me know. I strongly recommended the I.oW. Jazz Festival people to try to book you, but I don't know if anything came of it. I do love your singing, no flannel, and I hope to have the pleasure of hearing you sing live again some time with the wonderful Brian Kellock.

So I just want to say a huge thank you. My heartfelt thanks to you, to Madeleine, Sophie, everybody, and I'll keep in touch, if that's ok.

All the very best to you, Carolyn

P.S. I know this is not your side of things, but now that I am online, I would very much like to be included on your mailing list. Also I'm keen to know of any courses that you have planned, particularly if you have any for professional singers, which I see that you have done in the past.

Thanks.


Tina May / Nikki Iles - 4, 5 and 6 November 2001

  • "This workshop was excellent"
  • "High quality, warm and friendly"
  • "Got everyone involved, brilliant!"
  • "...very enthusiastic and very high standard"
  • "Very well done, first class"

Lynne Austin Dutton - Speech Level Singing Workshop - 24 and 25 November
2001

  • "I like the idea of focused workshops"
  • "good teacher"
  • "Supportive, confidence building approach"
  • "More please"

Our February 2001 workshop in Oban:

Fionna Duncan Workshop inOban February 2001

  • "Top Class! Very supportive and understanding and professional."
  • "Superb - boosted my confidence"
  • "a great introduction to the world of jazz singing"
  • "I enjoyed the feeling of great support and joy getting into the emotions of the song."

Fionna Duncan Workshop inOban February 2001


The following is from specialist workshop in Speech Level Singing by Lynne Austin Dutton of the Voice Studio March 2001:

  • "my voice has changed after one workshop and private lesson!"
  • "Excellent"

The following is from Nicola King, 2001 winner of Perrier Young jazz Vocalist of the year, 5 April 2001:

  • "The training I received from Fionna and the rest of the team on the 5-day workshop will stay with me forever. That was where I really found my voice."


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