Selected participants' responses to HA! Workshops in Spontaneous Creativity

"Improvising with Ha!man was an incredible experience! I have always loved improvising but this was next level. When we were playing it seemed as though we had the same idea about the type of music but we realised this without speaking. After the workshop, I have been improvising more than ever at home - Rebecca Gray, 11 years
The man was very friendly and funny, he was not even wearing shoes. I think improvisation people do not wear shoes - Sadie Owen - 8 years
It was amazing. I loved it that we could just play any note we wanted to and the man would sync with us, but with different notes that fitted. It was very hard to keep track of what he was playing when we all played together, but I found out a way. It really did sound fantastic. (Maybe just to my ears though) - Stella Solkow, 11 years
I ilked it when the piano could turn into a drum - Kate Fitzhenry, 7 years
At first it was difficult and then I realised I just have to let the beats flow with me - Zinathi Nonyati, 8 years
Wow! I had the most amazing experience , it was just incredible hearing the improvisations and music. It was truly a life changing experience. I definitely recommend this to everyone - Rebecca Solkow, 11 years
I want to do it again this week or maybe even every week - Emily Fish, 7 years
It was really really really fun and I did not want it to stop - Zahra Kajie, 7 years
When are we having a workshop again? I kind of want it to be tomorrow - Ella Naidoo, 9 years " | Rina Schutte SA 220223
After the Ha!man : I am so happy!! I experienced and witnessed so much joy, exuberance, fun, laughter and play today. I also witnessed artistic brilliance and expertise. Experiencing this with my husband and son, and my best friends is the ultimate joy - it brings such gratitude and deep happiness. | Christel Engelbrecht SA 210314
"Thank you so much for the wonderful presentation you made today. I'm truly humbled. You broke the intense and frustration we had over the workload we had and the weight we were all carrying. After you left the workshop turned to being fun and flowing. You gave us a rare approach to music and the true definition of making music therapeutic and spontaneous. Your skills helped us approach the music pieces differently with the thought of making it alive and fun and most importantly apply creativity that we never thought we had. Everybody is left at awe and still talking about you. I wish we could have gathered all the children to experience the fun and the beauty in making music. If there is one thing I've learned from you, is to never leave the rehearsal class drained and exhausted but rather happy and feeling healed because that's what you do with your music. A thank you might not be enough but I'm truly humbled.
(Andronica Tsenge, choir conductor Sol Plaatje University, Kimberley)" | Andronica Tsenge SA 200221
We wanted to take a moment to say thank you for the incredible workshop you provided for our students back in November! It taught them so much about improvisation, something that we are looking forward to incorporating more into our programming, based on your influence. We are so inspired by the way you interpret and feel the music and we look forward to hopefully collaborating with you again in the future! | Tina Fedeski Canada 191115
I felt at one with the cello. The ribbons of sound were moving through me as I danced, soul connected. | Maryaleen Trafford Canada 191110
I so appreciate your enormous talent, spaciousness and exquisite attunement. | Gennie Brukner Canada 191107
It was definitely the BEST £20 I've spent in a long time. Incredible how Francois managed to get all the children to come up so willingly and contently. Simply brilliant. The power of music. I do hope he comes again. | 190323
Overall, what I thought was going to be an average two hour workshop, turned into an incredible experience. The Ha!Man taught me skills that you cannot learn anywhere else. It was truly an honour to attend the workshop and play with him. | 170901
"Eyes closed, together in stillness. The heavens are empty, the canvas is blank. There is only anticipation. From out of the stillness comes one clear tone. Searching for another, calling. Then another follows it from out of the source. Was that source outside of myself, or from somewhere deep within? Anticipation. Tone follows tone-calling. From somewhere across the room a note answers. Softly it begins. Come play with us. One by one we answer. Breath through brass, strings that sing, heart beats percussed through drums. Rhythm. We are Life recreating itself. One note builds upon the next. Crescendo builds and then recedes. Harmony, dischord. It is all there. Music, dance, color. It is in me and it is outside of me. There is no difference. Ha! In this moment and then it is over. We are left with stillness and breath. We are-I am. So was my experience with a HA!Man workshop. " | Kristin Deinum 170507
Met zijn virtuoze muziek en zang maakt hij de weg voor iedereen vrij. De energie stroomt in mij op het moment dat ik de juiste toon, het juiste ritme heb gevonden! Ik beweeg mee op de golven van de anderen. Mijn muziek klinkt! | 170506
My son took one of your workshops several years ago and it was one of the most incredible experiences I have ever witnessed. Don't ever give up on your music and expressing your creativity - it is a gift to the world... | Lisa Fruth USA E 160211
"Francois really gets to the heart of music and creativity and explained and showed ""what's it all about"" so well. I was most impressed with how beautiful all the music was - how well the children could improvise along with Francois. It was quite amazing and a very moving experience." | Sarah Vakkur USA E 151122
"Merci François pour ... ta douce autorité. Tu nous as tous inspirés et offert des moments des plus magiques, nous permettant simplement d'être sans jugement ou attente. J'avais le sentiment de pouvoir toucher les possibilités infinies qui se trouvent en moi et chez les autres. Si il y a bien un mystère, c'est dans le déploiement de l'acte créatif". - Valerie Jones, Dover, UK. | 150405
"Ik vond het een stromende bijeenkomst. Heel gemakkelijk kon ik me voegen in de gang van zaken. Ook al was ik later aanwezig, geen probleem. Prachtig hoe Francois mensen begeleidde. Hoe hij de toon zette en mensen zo stimuleerde om volkomen natuurlijk te horen te geven wat in hen op kwam. Onder de deelnemers waren onderlegde muziekmakers, die ook heel makkelijk op improviseren overgingen." | Els 140531
One of my sons is passionate about guitar and he was fully captivated by the event. I wanted to say how moved I was by your performance and of how I was reminded of such simple but important lessons, like breathing and being, and of moving freely. I wanted to say thank you for doing what you do, it is a natural gift and very humbling to watch. I experienced a whole array of different emotions, joy, a primitive sadness, a desire to run across the hall with my arms flung wide, an anger at those children who were rude and disrepectful and a gratefulness that we were there at that moment in time! | Ali Stump UK 130503
I found myself because of you. I could never thank you enough. | Caroline Dennis SA 110902
"Die hele improvisasie-idee was 'n nuwe ding vir my. Ek het altyd gedink dis afgesonder vir ander mense en dat dit onbereikbaar is vir my. dit was die eerste dat ek so iets probeer het, en ek is spyt dat ek dit nie al vroeer probeer het nie. dit was awesome! baie dankie!" | Elsjhe Botha SA 110827
Loved it! There is a need for plenty, plenty more of these. | Ninetta Olivier 110813
"I am a photographer who has recently lost my inspiration and this workshop has really helped to get it back. I have so many ideas and i've thought out of the box. Thanks so much." | Julie Aarts SA 110801
can't explain how much i learnt and experienced. everything you said made so much sense. absolutely love feeling so free. Thank you! | Bridget Penny SA 110801
ik weet het niet,, maar francois kan iets dieps in je wakker maken, iets waarvan je wel altijd weet dat het er is, maar toch .. | Kristien Verheggen 110530
Thank you, thank you! Awesome to have people like you to act as a medium to help ætransportÆ us elsewhere à to a place where we exist completely independently. Treasure the experience, because itÆs captured in this moment and nowhere else to be found. Crave experiences like these where people cast their veils off and show what/who we are. | Charlize Morgan USA E 100328
I really was not looking forward to attending. However had to as my wife really wanted it. After saying this I must confess that I evaded my discontent and anxiousness and THOROUGHLY enjoyed myself. I collided with myself and found that I am not so predictable. I am ending this workshop refreshed, calm and rejuvinated. Thank you Francois! | Rob Knight USA C 81012
"It had a profound impact on me. His points made me ponder over what shape I want my life to take. His overall topic was helpful although he seemed unprepared and sort of 'thought on his feet'." | 30709
I have learned about so many things I can't even explain. I have learned that every one can go wild and emotional. I have talent and I sang in front of everyone. You have inspired me, I even wrote my own song. I love what you doing and keep it up. (Katlego) | 30410
Inspiring! It's really good to be reminded about the WHOLE person - we're so used to being logical, objective and results driven (not necessarily bad) that we forget about the other "side" of ourselves! Thanks! (Di Aallderman) | 30410
"A wonderful illustration of facilitation as apposed to instruction! If we could be free enough to ""connect"" with our learners in this fashion, they would be fighting to get into our classes!" | 30410
"Thank you for the wonderful presentation. I agree - we need more time to play - not only in the class, but children need free time and not to be ""organised"" for every minute. I found your presentation very meaningful. Teachers also need time to ""play"" as well as children. Thank you (Jenny Conning, Grade 1 teacher)" | 30410
I want to be a writer. I want to catch onto paper that spark of life some people have, and the dullness that drives others. I want my whole life to be moulded around my love of writing: my pure need to write; and I don't ever want to be afraid that that won't be enough. I don't need logic.. I think too much already; I need to trust in the part of me that I want to spark. Your light drives you - it shines of the way you move. That's what I want in life.. Thanx. | Jackie Bischof SA 20718
I can't describe to you how much this inspired me! It was a really amazing workshop! I can honestly say I will never be the same again! Thank you! | Pupil 2 zz SA 20718
I enjoyed it completely. I totally scared myself and will be spending the next 17 years trying to analyze what I have become. You seem to be an extraordinary person. Congrats. | Mariet Kritzinger SA 20711
Your classes are brilliant! You know how to open people's minds without them realizing it!!! | Leonie Drury SA 20515
I thought it was absolutely amazing. I had no clue music could have such an effect on me. When you sang my poem from the top of your head - I was flabbergasted. The whole mood in that room was... (no words) | Leesen Naidu SA 20515
Awesome name. Awesome workshop. enjoyed your flute performance.. | Joanne Rodgerson SA 20515
"Ooh, that guy is good" | 11012


 


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