Testimonials

 

MORE QUOTES from Schools, Libraries, Museums, Camps
Rec Centers and festivals. (Keep scrolling down!)

SCHOOL PROGRAMS

From staff at  Mtn. View Elementary, Elko, NV / 3-day Western week residency:
• “Purly, it was terrific having you here at Mountain View. Our students and staff thoroughly enjoyed your time here. You are terrific with the students, and this made for a terrific Cowboy Poetry Week.” ~ Mr. Foss, Principal                                           • “Many thanks for your absolutely top drawer performances
. Great musicianship and diversity. Really great work with our kids!”  ~ Ms. Scott, 4th gr.                                                                                 • “Purly Gates was fabulous! She did a great job engaging
 
my first graders from start to finish. They loved being able to interact 
and sing along with her.” ~ Mrs. Zamudio, 1st gr.


“Purly Gates has joined us many times.  She engages the children so they feel part of the song. 
Purly’s presence is one of joy.  We would highly recommend her to any program looking to 
incorporate music into their day.”
~ Melanie Ullman, Director, Keene Day Care Center, Keene, NH


”It was awesome! Thank you for the excellent literary, science, and social 
 studies connections to your songs.  They’re catchy, impactful, AND educational.”
~A. Braziel, Librarian, Blackshear Elem. School, Austin, TX

“…students and teachers loved Purly. 
She does unique literacy-themed presentations that are well-organized and geared to the 
developmental needs of each grade level. The music is wonderful and truly supports 
literacy and life-long learning. I would recommend her as an event to celebrate Read  
Across America or to kick off a summer reading program.”
~C. Hicks, Libr., Kocurek Elem, Austin,TX

“Thank YOU for all your work with the kids – they had a BLAST!! 
They are still talking about it”.
~M. Prince, Music teacher/Instrument-making residency 
coordinator, Canaan Elementary School, NH

Thank you for such a wonderful program that not only entertained but put 
positive ideas about reading and being creative into the minds of our 4-6 
year olds at HMD!  You know what our little ones are 
like and what it takes to hold  their attention.  You did a fantastic job.  Your 
songs were wonderful and it was easy for the children to participate and sing 
along. Many of our kids had never seen an accordion or banjo-ukulele played 
live! They loved it.” ~Carol Williams, Kindergarten teacher/ HMD EC Center, Beeville, TX                                                                                                                                                                  From staff at Tenie Holmes Elem., Bay City, TX                                   • “Everyone is still talking about you and how much fun YOUNG AUTHOR 
DAY was this year!…..Great performance, excellent rapport with the students…..
thanks for our school song!”
~Sandra Davis, 3rd gr. teacher
“Great songs…. children loved the sing-alongs. Terrific, terrific, terrific! Thanks for coming!”   ~B. Walker, Principal

“Thanks once again for the performance you shared with 
our Fern Bluff students, parents, staff and families. Your presen-tation was 
truly a fun and interactive way of making books “come alive” through songs. 
Your energy and excitement for reading was contagious!”
   ~Dr. Elizabeth A. Wilson, Principal, Fern Bluff Elementary, Round Rock, TX

From staff  at Franklin Elementary School, Keene, NH :                     • “The concert was great.  The songs really connected with what we are trying
 to teach and you had a relaxed, yet in charge manner with the kids.” ~Nancy Archanski, Librarian      • “Great performance today! It was so very appropriate for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students…
reading, writing and diversity! Fantastic & timely. 
” ~Karen DuFresne, Teacher         • “My students loved 
your performance as did the staff with-in my setting. You open up  a world of music for many children”.  ~Marijo Varney, Intermediate CLC class

Your program was both highly informative and extremely entertaining. 
You have a real gift for sharing your musical talents with children. I was particularly 
impressed with your ability to keep the interest of the children, get them involved in the 
music and keep the group well in control – all at the same time. I look forward to having 
you at our school again.”          ~Pat Reuter, prin. Dessau Elem. Pflugerville, TX

“I thought your show was outstanding. It was very much family oriented and appropriately 
geared towards our young audience. You were easily able to command the attention of the 
audience through positive sing-alongs and group partici-pation. Excellent HopStop!”   ~Erica Ligeski, Arts Education Coord/ Hopkins Center for the Arts, Dartmouth College, NH

From staff at Sivells Elementary, Wharton, TX:                                    • “The students enjoyed the interactive program you presented for Children’s 
Literacy Week.  Thank you so much for involv-ing them in your  music.  
The songs were easy to learn, active, repetitive enough for our First  Grade, 
and engaging enough for our Second Graders. ” ~Sharie Stelzel, Teacher

• “Your program was great. 
I’m the music teacher here and I appreciated your use of instruments and your 
explanations about them.” ~Pat Herring


“Kids loved you at all three schools,  as did all the grownups.  
More soon!” ~Deb Morris/Music teacher, Cannon Beach El/ OR

“Another wonderful four days with you. You do amazing things with children.  Thank you SO MUCH for everything!”
~Lynda Tallarico, Head Teacher, N. Walpole Elem, NH

“There was a lot of excitement when the kids made their own
 instruments in music class. 
Many parents have come up to me since to say how much fun their kids had—and they are 
still having fun playing their instruments at home.”
– Nicole McDaniel, Music teacher, St. Andrew’s Elem, Austin, TX


LIBRARIES & CHILDREN’S MUSEUMS                                                 

“(Purly) performed recently at the Childrens Museum of Northern Nevada. 
It was a pleasure to have her. Our customers range in age from newborn to 5 yrs old. 
I was so impressed with the way Purly adjusted her performance to accommodate 
her audience. She varied her activities from group participation to movement and song.  
During her performance, families came and others left. She managed this transition with 
great ease and never missed a beat. I would highly recommend her! Thank you Purly for joining us 
in our True Grit celebration (to which she also fashioned a song!). Happy Trails!” ~Beth Ellis, Executive Director, the Children’s Museum of Northern Nevada

“Purly Gates is a children’s singer/songwriter of great caliber…..a down-to-earth 
folk musician, with fun yet intelligent words…. She also plays (other folk and) really 
cool hand-made instruments that sparked the interest in children as well as the 
adults…..she interacted with the audience and made them feel part of the show…..” 
 ~ Lisa Ortega, Education Specialist, the Children’s Museum of Memphis, TN

Her sparkling sense of fun and humor comes through… engaging and witty songs…
very genuine, highly entertaining… she even captivated the adults in the group too.” – Peggy Horowitz, Austin (TX) Children’s Museum

“Purly, we are so glad you came! You are definitely the best entertainer who’s 
come to our school in a very long time!”
-Melanie Bowen, Librarian, Carl Schurz El, New Braunfels, TX

“I have gotten rave reviews! Everyone loved your show!”

~Cheryl Schramm, Librarian, West Library, Industry, TX

“You were wonderful! I love the way you mix old folksongs and original tunes.
The different instruments you play and the little bits of history you throw in to your act 
make it unique. We all loved the dancing stick man. I like acts that entertain and educate, and you fit the bill beautifully. 
Thanks once again for a fantastic performance!”
~Jane Sheaffer, Children’s Entertainment, Texas Book Fest

“Thank you so much for presenting such a terrific program! Your performance was 
really impressive and tremendously entertaining!  I have heard nothing but positive 
comments from children and adults who attended. You are truly a seasoned, skilled 
performer, and your strong stage presence was captivating. I will be certain to give your 
talents a hearty recommendation to other librarians and teachers!”
~Ellysa Cahoy, Librarian  Laconia, NH

Thanks so much for your talent, patience, and fairness in dealing with us and 
presenting such quality programs for the children of Austin! I look forward to 
working with you again.”  ~Anita Joye Rizley/Youth Program Coordinator / Austin, TX Public Library

From parents at Kihei Library, Maui, Hawaii:
• “This was good wholesome entertainment. ……….”
• “Excellent incorporation of various instruments, song, and storytelling”.
 The program was AWESOME. My kids love singing along with Purly. “
• “Great for our three year old.  He loved it.
  So good—I could sit much longer and listen to Purly”


What was especially remarkable was the ease with which Purly made so normally unresponsive  an audience respond to her and her music.~Andrea Tarr, Librarian / Claremont, NH

“Purly Gates’ presentation was terrific! The children were actively involved from the start. She designed the program to reflect our summer reading theme. Her show included a wide variety of musical styles, many interesting instruments and thought-provoking lyrics. The adults enjoyed it as much as the children.”  ~Kathy Chadsey, Children’s Librarian/ Tillamook County Library, Tillamook, OR

“Extremely satisfying. Purly’s songs were well chosen & interesting. Her manner with the children was very good. She had them involved immediately.”   ~Marilyn Iarusso/Children’s Services , NY Public Library, New York, NY


CAMPS, ENVIRONMENTAL & REC CENTERS, TOWN CONCERTS, etc.

Purly Gates is a musician, storyteller, community builder, educator, peace maker and
 environmental advocate all in one. Purly captured the attention of all campers through
 her fun & educational approach to instrument making. Her engaging style electrified campers
 and parents alike during Family Night.” ~Susan Fortier, Camp Director/ YMCA,        Bellows Falls, VT

“….the moment she started her show, our kids were in AWE...they loved the concert 
and they loved Purly!!! She’s talented, energetic and full of surprises!”  
-Jody Wyffels, Programs Director, YMCA of Austin, TX

“Our naturalist said you were a big hit and did a really great job. He especially loved how 
you got the audience involved. If you are planning an Oregon tour again next summer do 
let us know!”  -Elisabeth Neely, Portland (Oregon) Metro Parks & Green Spaces/Oxbow Park

“Purly is such a pro – a great entertainer and musician. She really knows how to entertain 
a crowd. Catchy tunes, fun lyrics, and a twinkle in her eye. She’s got comfort food for your ears! 
Her concert on the common had children dancing, adults singing along, and smiles all around.” 
~Mary Lou O’Neil, Entertainment Committee/ Hancock, NH Summer Concerts

“People thoroughly enjoyed Purly’s easy style and creative participatory music 
program. Her nature themes were a perfect fit for our environmental center: a love of trees, clean water, diversity and wildlife. We can’t wait to have her back
next year.” ~Celeste Philbrick Bar, Education Director/      Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, N.H.

High energy performance…It was such fun and perfect for the folks.”  
~Penny Gill, NE Center for Outdoor Education

“Her songs are fun, interactive and relevant.” – 8th Annual Children and The Arts Festival, Peterborough, NH


WORKSHOPS/ FESTIVALS / COWBOY GATHERINGS

“This may be the ultimate in hands-on workshops” ~Stuart Vexler, PhD, Chairman, Board of Directors, TX Folk Music Foundation/ Kerrville Prof. Development Program for Teachers [Instrument-Making for the Classroom workshop]

“Purly Gates has been a performer for four years straight at Shanghai Days Cowboy Gathering in Wharton, Texas. She dresses the part, plays great banjo, guitar and sings. She’s a regular Calamity Jane reincarnate—only a lot more talented. She’s professional, dependable and she’s a hoot.”                ~Doc Blakely, Promoter

“Your talents and energy were much appreciated by all, not only in performance but in making the whole festival click and doing your part to make the sloop community work so well amidst the craziness of this event.” ~Steve Stanne, Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Pumpkin Sail, NY state


SPECIAL AUDIENCES/ MENTAL HEALTH and other FACILITIES

Great reviews from the boys!  The kiddoes really enjoyed the workshop and have been playing their instruments at every opportunity.  Thanks so very much. Let us know when we can have that drum workshop.”                                                       ~Janice Kennemer, Hill Country CMHMR Center, Kerrville / TX Heritage Music Foundation Summer Arts Program

“Great job Purly, thanks lots! We all had a lot of fun, we learned a lot and I have a bunch of new projects that I can do with my kids.”  ~Andrew Raeside, Art/Music Teacher/ Residency Coordinator, Spaulding Youth Center, Tilton, NH

Our residents had such a great time when you came to play for us.  We would love for you to come back.”
– Jennifer Krawczyk, Activities Coordinator for Adults/ Marbridge Villa, Manchaca TX

COMMENTS FROM STAFF DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS

“You are full of so many wonderful ideas and have so much to offer. And you do what
 you do with such enthusiasm and do it so well!” ~Marilyn Coffin, past-pres. NH Art Educator’s Assoc, Spring Workshop

“Once again your workshop was the hit of the Teachers’ Program. 
You combine elements the way teachers must in classroom settings. 
The process you set up encourages creativity, with variety of skills and 
information. Those of us responsible for the design of the Teachers’ Professional 
Development Program have special appreciation for the workshops you provide. Thank you for your continuing service to the community.”  ~Stuart Vexler, PhD, Chairman, Board of Directors, 
 TX Folk Music Foundation/Kerrville Folk Festival