TESTIMONIALS
WHAT ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS HAVE SAID
“You have a rare combination: a fabulous artist and a talented teacher. Few can create and then teach what they create to 9 year-olds with patience and gentleness . . . I am looking forward to collaborating often in the future.”
Laura Kleinmann
Librarian
Oyster Bilingual School
“In my 38 years of teaching I have worked with many artists-in-residence and I must say that you were the most organized, professional, creative, and talented in all those years.”
Laurie Siegel
Art Teacher
Watkins Elementary School
“Thank you for all you did to bring us to this wonderful day of our fourth grade performance of Shadow Journeys. We have taken our own special journey with you, and your wisdom, humor, creativity, and dedication have made it all possible.”
Penina Freedenberg
Director, Grades 3 and 4
Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School
“The fairy tales you adapted matched our curriculum exactly . . . The students enjoyed making their own puppets and a chance to perform . . . We loved it!”
Julie Moraz
2nd Grade Team Leader
Rockburn Elementary School
“Daniel went above and beyond in teaching,
assisting students, and working with teachers
. . . the students were
very active and engaged when learning about immigration using shadow
puppetry.”
Patti Mattera
Teaher
Columbus Magnet School
WHAT PRESCHOOLS HAVE SAID
“You were a huge hit - everyone is still talking about it. We will call again . . . ”
Marley Joyce
Director
St. John’s Episcopal Preschool
“We are exploring communication this month, and shadow puppet shows communicate a story to an audience. The children sincerely enjoyed themselves; they were engaged audience members and active participants in the shadow puppet making process . . . Flexibility is crucial in a preschool setting, and Daniel has plenty of it!”
Emily Houck
Assistant Director
Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center Preschool
“The older children (4’s and 5’s) who participated in this interactive puppet show did so eagerly, and the younger children enjoyed watching their older friends perform. The workshop for preschoolers was very age appropriate, and the teachers enjoyed the program as much as the children did.”
Paula Slavsky
Director
Beth Emeth Early Childhood Center
“Children internalize special programming when they are given the opportunity to participate fully. The creativity I saw inspired the children to grasp the curriculum taught . . . You have a nice way with pre-schoolers, and you can speak to where they are emotionally and socially. They feel that you care about them and participate more readily. You know your audience!”
Elise Meshel
Director
Shaare Tefila Nursery School
“The children were so excited! I heard a lot of giggles during the show. They loved being a part of the story . . . They were so proud of themselves.”
Laura Bensman
Metropolitan Nursery School
WHAT LIBRARIES HAVE SAID
“The program tied into our summer reading theme . . . the children were anxious to participate, and the program received wonderful feedback after the show.”
Stacy Varner
Wheaton Library
“We had it for our Friday morning story time and it was a huge success! Unusual concept for a puppet show - fabulous!”
Doug Beatty
Pikesville Library
“It presented yet another art form to children in Potomac. I loved the way Daniel included all the children in his show, either as puppeteers or as sound effect makers. He has a rare knack for managing children in a crowd . . . The audience participation was just wonderful, especially since so many children and adults got a chance to actually be puppeteers.”
Lindsey Hundt
Potomac Library
“Participants of all ages seemed to be enthralled with the shadow puppets and stories.”
Joy Hubbard
Germantown Library
“People enjoyed the performance - kids were especially excited at being able to participate.”
Belinda Galbreath
White Marsh Library
“It complemented the summer reading theme, but emphasized the theme more than some of the other programs. It was a highlight. The ages were wide (2-12) and yet all were mesmerized during the presentation. The audience participation was very good, also. Daniel is an excellent entertainer with a fantastic sense of his audience, and he plays to their level without sacrificing any content . . . ”
Hillary Frunell
Cleveland Park Branch Library
WHAT MUSEUMS HAVE SAID
“The program aligned perfectly with our exhibit, and it was a perfect way to explore storytelling and narrative. The adults were as enthusiastic to see the final presentation as the children!”
Ann Alexander
Education Specialist for Community Outreach
The Phillips Collection
“The children thought it was positively magical! They attended to the story and were eager puppeteers of their own . . . Doing shadow puppets using a high-quality children’s picture book worked beautifully.”
Sandra Malmquist
Director
Connecticut Children’s Museum
“It worked well with the current exhibition . . . Everyone was very enthusiastic. Adults said it was something different from what their kids normally did, and both kids and adults seemed to enjoy the performance aspect of the program - both yours and theirs.”
Dolores DeStefano
Curator of Education
Museum of Biblical Art
“The program offered families an opportunity to get exposed to a new art form that they may not have been familiar with, while connecting to our holiday theme - the feedback was very positive.”
Rachel Katz
Manager of Family Programs
The Jewish Museum
“The shadow puppetry workshop really enhanced our programming for 9-12 year-olds. They were attentive and involved - it definitely strengthened our programming. Fantastic!”
Trudie Lamb Richmond
Director of Public Programs
Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center
WHAT SUMMER PROGRAMS HAVE SAID
“The children, their parents, staff, faculty, and I enjoyed the program very much . . . I received very positive feedback from those who attended - they found it to be very creative. I wish we could have had more time with you making the puppets - time flew by!”
Larry Janney
Director
St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School August Adventures Camp
“It was a unique program and the kids seemed very focused.”
Stephanie Ugol
Director
Summer Friends Day Camps
“Enthusiastic audience - very attentive participants accomplished a great deal in a limited amount of time, all in a very supportive atmosphere. This was a wonderful program - delivered in a warm and appropriate manner.”
Kimberly Cetron
Program Coordinator
JCCNV Performing Arts Camp