Testimonials
Guitar
"Thank you so much for being such a fantastic music teacher and for being there for me these past few years. You have inspired me so much and brought my passion for music out further and further!" 17 year old student
"I already knew Surya form the Wilful Choir, and she has now been giving my daughter and me guitar lessons, separately, over Zoom! She is a really inspirational teacher and makes the lessons fun and engaging. She is very encouraging, even to a musically ignorant middle aged fellow like myself! I should add that I have a brain injury having had encephalitis a few years ago, and I see the guitar lessons as an important part of my ongoing cognitive rehabilitation. There is nothing quite like learning an instrument for making new neural connections and developing neuroplacticity. It has so many benefits, developing memory, coordination, rhythm and concentration, as well as being fun!
The great thing has been discovering a new shared enthusiasm with my daughter for music and learning the guitar. " Father and student.
Ukulele
"I can honestly say it has been an invaluable experience for me learning the ukulele. I have always enjoyed singing, but found learning a musical instrument challenging. You have made it fun and accessible, whilst also pushing us to do things we didn't think we could do! It has been a welcome break from the humdrum of life and my other worries and has given me a positive focus at a difficult time. And I have met such a lovely bunch of people too! Thank you so much. See you for the next course!" Adult Student
"My 13 daughter started ukulele with Surya last year and has made fast progress and absolutely loves her lessons and playing. She has achieved distinctions in her grade exams and that is of course in no small part down to the tutoring she receives weekly from Surya.
She also performs in extracurricular concerts and ukulele evenings, that Surya organises all of which are entertaining and great fun.
Surya is a committed and motivational music teacher, I would recommend her highly."
Piano
"You have been a wonderful teacher to my son and daughter. They now have a love of music which I believe comes in part from you. We will miss you and your lessons. Hope to stay in touch" Mum to 2 children with very different special needs.
"Please accept my special special THANK YOU! I should say that my daughter loves you and after each and every lesson with you she always comes back with a smile on her face. I feel like you have a special wand that makes her happy. Millions of thanks for everything! "Mum of 14 year old student.
Singing In Harmony Music Weekend
"Brilliant course with a fantastic tutor with excellent company in a supportive environment. I've a feeling people will be hearing a lot more from me in future!" Tony
"Amazing Thanks for the encouragement to explore our voices" Margaret
"Wonderful and creative. I have really learnt so much and you have been really inspiring. I would love to attend another course or workshop again with you. Thanks xx" Ali
Singing Groups
“Before you know it, the group is producing a marvellous sound. And you don't have to know anything about music.”
Pam, a singer in the group
“Singing together is simply the best way to build lasting communities “
Alison Burns, (NVPN) Natural Voice Practitioners Network
“You are a truly wonderful teacher and inspire great confidence in people like myself. I never thought I could sing and now I am thinking of joining a singing group.”
Lynda Daroga, Community Fundraising Manager at Shooting Star Chase Children's Hospice Care
“Surya, you're an inspirational leader. I think the difference is that you're genuinely involved - sharing things rather than 'teaching', which is great. Good luck!!”
Shelia
Workshops
"I just wanted to say Thank you for a great workshop today! I’m so glad I took part in the songrwriting workshop with you and Elaine."
Olivia
“Delightful, inspiring, magical..and well done.”
Stewart
"Surya put us all at ease, combined interesting background information with practical work. The session was varied and allowed a lot of freedom of expression, as well as drawing the group together as a whole. I LOVED the chance to make a noise"
Stefan Freedman, Musician,Author and Dance Teacher www.worldance.org
''Thank you for your brilliant fun and fun workshops. I very much enjoyed the one I came to. Lots of resources and good structure yet sense of play and freedom and your humour to keep it all light". Mary
“It was an inspiration - I must admit I had no idea what to expect, and was a bit daunted at first - but as soon as I got into the workshops, and got talking to other like minded people, it was brilliant! I'd never done anything like that before & I found it quite uplifting, also enjoyed singing "Fever" in your workshop.”
Sue
''I really enjoyed the Creative Music Weekend as it was such an amazing experience for me and also to be around such creative spirits in a safe and nurturing space'.
Jackie
“Thanks again for organising such a great weekend... it couldn't have been better as far as I'm concerned. As someone said, it was like 'coming home.' As well as being creative and inspirational, it was also somehow healing too! Really hope there's another one soon.”
Graham
Yoga
“Though I don't normally suffer from high blood pressure, when the doctor takes a reading, it shoots way up. Using Yoga breathing techniques taught to me by Surya, I now always have completely normal blood pressure when the doctor takes it. Thanks!”
“I have chronic lower back pain from dehydrated discs in my lumbar spine and cannot stand for more than a few minutes at a time. Surya's Restorative Yoga helps me feel balanced and eases the tightness in my lower back. I feel as though I could stand for hours!”
Judith
"Thank you so much for being such a fantastic music teacher and for being there for me these past few years. You have inspired me so much and brought my passion for music out further and further!" 17 year old student
"I already knew Surya form the Wilful Choir, and she has now been giving my daughter and me guitar lessons, separately, over Zoom! She is a really inspirational teacher and makes the lessons fun and engaging. She is very encouraging, even to a musically ignorant middle aged fellow like myself! I should add that I have a brain injury having had encephalitis a few years ago, and I see the guitar lessons as an important part of my ongoing cognitive rehabilitation. There is nothing quite like learning an instrument for making new neural connections and developing neuroplacticity. It has so many benefits, developing memory, coordination, rhythm and concentration, as well as being fun!
The great thing has been discovering a new shared enthusiasm with my daughter for music and learning the guitar. " Father and student.
Ukulele
"I can honestly say it has been an invaluable experience for me learning the ukulele. I have always enjoyed singing, but found learning a musical instrument challenging. You have made it fun and accessible, whilst also pushing us to do things we didn't think we could do! It has been a welcome break from the humdrum of life and my other worries and has given me a positive focus at a difficult time. And I have met such a lovely bunch of people too! Thank you so much. See you for the next course!" Adult Student
"My 13 daughter started ukulele with Surya last year and has made fast progress and absolutely loves her lessons and playing. She has achieved distinctions in her grade exams and that is of course in no small part down to the tutoring she receives weekly from Surya.
She also performs in extracurricular concerts and ukulele evenings, that Surya organises all of which are entertaining and great fun.
Surya is a committed and motivational music teacher, I would recommend her highly."
Piano
"You have been a wonderful teacher to my son and daughter. They now have a love of music which I believe comes in part from you. We will miss you and your lessons. Hope to stay in touch" Mum to 2 children with very different special needs.
"Please accept my special special THANK YOU! I should say that my daughter loves you and after each and every lesson with you she always comes back with a smile on her face. I feel like you have a special wand that makes her happy. Millions of thanks for everything! "Mum of 14 year old student.
Singing In Harmony Music Weekend
"Brilliant course with a fantastic tutor with excellent company in a supportive environment. I've a feeling people will be hearing a lot more from me in future!" Tony
"Amazing Thanks for the encouragement to explore our voices" Margaret
"Wonderful and creative. I have really learnt so much and you have been really inspiring. I would love to attend another course or workshop again with you. Thanks xx" Ali
Singing Groups
“Before you know it, the group is producing a marvellous sound. And you don't have to know anything about music.”
Pam, a singer in the group
“Singing together is simply the best way to build lasting communities “
Alison Burns, (NVPN) Natural Voice Practitioners Network
“You are a truly wonderful teacher and inspire great confidence in people like myself. I never thought I could sing and now I am thinking of joining a singing group.”
Lynda Daroga, Community Fundraising Manager at Shooting Star Chase Children's Hospice Care
“Surya, you're an inspirational leader. I think the difference is that you're genuinely involved - sharing things rather than 'teaching', which is great. Good luck!!”
Shelia
Workshops
"I just wanted to say Thank you for a great workshop today! I’m so glad I took part in the songrwriting workshop with you and Elaine."
Olivia
“Delightful, inspiring, magical..and well done.”
Stewart
"Surya put us all at ease, combined interesting background information with practical work. The session was varied and allowed a lot of freedom of expression, as well as drawing the group together as a whole. I LOVED the chance to make a noise"
Stefan Freedman, Musician,Author and Dance Teacher www.worldance.org
''Thank you for your brilliant fun and fun workshops. I very much enjoyed the one I came to. Lots of resources and good structure yet sense of play and freedom and your humour to keep it all light". Mary
“It was an inspiration - I must admit I had no idea what to expect, and was a bit daunted at first - but as soon as I got into the workshops, and got talking to other like minded people, it was brilliant! I'd never done anything like that before & I found it quite uplifting, also enjoyed singing "Fever" in your workshop.”
Sue
''I really enjoyed the Creative Music Weekend as it was such an amazing experience for me and also to be around such creative spirits in a safe and nurturing space'.
Jackie
“Thanks again for organising such a great weekend... it couldn't have been better as far as I'm concerned. As someone said, it was like 'coming home.' As well as being creative and inspirational, it was also somehow healing too! Really hope there's another one soon.”
Graham
Yoga
“Though I don't normally suffer from high blood pressure, when the doctor takes a reading, it shoots way up. Using Yoga breathing techniques taught to me by Surya, I now always have completely normal blood pressure when the doctor takes it. Thanks!”
“I have chronic lower back pain from dehydrated discs in my lumbar spine and cannot stand for more than a few minutes at a time. Surya's Restorative Yoga helps me feel balanced and eases the tightness in my lower back. I feel as though I could stand for hours!”
Judith