Feedback & References

Whether you want to tell us about your experience at a DDU show or workshop, or have a random question about didgeridoos or Australia, we'd love to hear from you. We read every e-mail and letter sent our way, so please don't be shy!
Please e-mail all comments to darren@didgrevolution.com or darren.liebman@yahoo.com

These are some of our favorites (in reverse chronoligical order) ...

 

2/4/2010
G'Day Darren,
Thank you so much for the terrific presentation!
Not only was "Didgeridoo Down Under" an informative, well-organized and educational presentation enjoyed by all, but your engaging personality made the whole experience very fun for the students. You had a wonderful way of keeping their interest. I especially liked how you incorporated geography, social studies, vocabulary, character education, care of the environment, and the importance of reading into your presentation. And it goes without saying that everyone was excited and mesmerized by the awesome sounds of the didgeridoo and the other instruments!
The children really liked that you made the presentation fun and allowed them to participate interactively instead of just sitting and listening the whole time. Some of the students told me they already made or plan to make a didgeridoo at home! So, all in all, they learned and were inspired by the presentation! It doesn't get any better than that!
Jan Mianowski
Music Teacher
Christ Church School, FL
jmianowski@ccsfl.org

 

1/29/2010
G'day to you Darren,
I was able to stay for the entire first assembly and was so glad I did. Lindsey did an excellent job performing, educating and interacting with the kids. They loved everything! I've talked to lots of parents who said their child came home so excited and needed a cardboard tube to practice the didgi. Some kids said it was the best assembly ever!
Thanks again to you and especially Lindsey for coming to our school!
Jennifer Curry
PTA Cultural Arts Chair
Homestead-Wakefield Elementary, MD
jenhcurry@yahoo.com

 

1/22/2010
I just recently had Darren Liebman host an assembly for our students. The program was received with such overwhelming excitement by the students and staff. Darren provided a study guide for the teachers which included everything from background information, vocabulary, language, lesson plans and activities and even web links for further information. It was a phenomenal program that brought an awareness of Australian music, culture, art, nature, and education to the students. Darren captivated the students' interest from start to finish.
Kathleen P. Garcia
Science Resource Teacher
Panther Run Elementary, FL
kathleen.garcia@browardschools.com

11/9/2009
Hey all,
I had Lindsey Dank from Didgeridoo Down Under perform for my students today as an Artist in Residence. All I can say is WOW!!! He incorporated art, music, science, social studies and reading. The students loved him, the teachers were very impressed and my principal said it was AWESOME!
Janet Lail
Music Teacher
North Hartsville Elementary, SC
jlail@darlington.k12.sc.us

 

9/28-29/2009
Greetings,
Just a brief note of reference pertaining to Didgeridoo Down Under’s presentation by Lindsey Dank at Darton College. Lindsey set up a display in our student center for interaction with our students during the day. He demonstrated various didgeridoos and shared Australian culture in a very informal setting. He interacted very weill with the students. Lindsey presented a lecture recital that evening that was entertaining, educational and interactive. He was quite enthusiastic in his interactions and presentations, including the lecture recital.
A highlight of his visit was his didgeridoo workshop the following morning, in which 40 college students and faculty participated. Lindsey taught everyone the basic (and some advanced) playing techniques on PVC didgeridoos. It was a lot of fun and quite educational.
Lindsey’s interaction with students and faculty at all three events went extremely well. His enthusiasm for Australian culture was contagious. I would recommend this event on school campuses as a multicultural event or for international festivals at colleges and schools.
Sincerely,
Jeff Kluball
Director of Music
Darton College, GA
jeff.kluball@darton.edu

 

8/19/2009
Didgridoo Down Under provided a highly engaging and compelling clinic for my band kids. They left excited, and it inspired a newfound respect for the instruments. As a music educator, exposure is key to a successful music education, and this was well worth the time and money spent.
Derek Shapiro
Director of Bands
Cypress Creek High, FL
derek.shapiro@ocps.net

 

8/7-8/2009
Hi Darren,
I observed Raihan at one of the school-age programs and thought he was very entertaining. The kids, ranging in age from 3 -10, were engaged the whole time. He had a fun educational mix of geography, sociology, vocabulary, anthropology and music. Of course, the highlight was him playing the didgeridoo and drum, and getting the kids involved.
Thank you for bringing this unique program to Baltimore County.
Kathy Casserly
Youth Services Specialist
Baltimore County Libraries, MD
kcasserl@bcpl.net

 

8/7/2009
Darren,
"Didgeridoo Down Under" was the perfect closing for our Summer Reading Program. Lindsey arrived promptly and in no time transported us "Down Under." His presentation was excellent, not only educational but amusing, and he captivated an audience of parents and children of all ages. We have rated "Didgeridoo Down Under" a perfect 10.
Cordially yours,
Jennifer Boyle
Librarian
Rockaway Borough Library, NJ
mboyle26@optonline.net

 

7/29/2009
(transcribed from written note)
Dear Raihan,
Usually when we pay for a program, I don't send a thank you note as well; in fact, I never have, but that is what I'm doing now. Your gift to us of your performances was of such excellence and from your heart that I wanted to add a personal and hearty THANK YOU!
As soon as we begin planning our summer we'll be in touch and see if we can schedule you for the Main Branch as well as Westlake.
Thanks so much!
Sincerely,
Pamela Palmer
Children's Librarian
West Lake Library, VA
pampalmer@franklincountyva.org

 

7/22/2009
Darren,
The program was great! I had several parents approach me afterwards to say how much they and their children enjoyed it. Since I had no idea what to expect, I had no expectations but that it would be different from any other program we had sponsored here. It was certainly that! My personal favorite part was the older children playing the PVC pipes as didgeridoos. I was also amazed at how well even our younger children were able to keep the beat with the sticks and at how attentive they were during the informational segments of the show. … I would be only too happy to provide a recommendation for your program. Thanks so much for coming!
Judy Takoch
Children's Librarian
Carnegie Free Library of Connellsville, PA
carnegie@zoominternet.net

 

7/15/2009
Dear Darren,
I am an Aussie who lives in Florida. I was a little apprehensive when I came to the "Didgeridoo Down Under" event (at Cape Coral Library) that the performer was not an Australian. Let me tell you, I was very pleasantly surprised. Raihan did a really wonderful job playing and explaining the didgeridoo, providing accurate factual information and interesting stories. His presentation was interesting and varied and kept the attention of about 100 elementary children (and their parents). Thank you very much for a wonderful evening.
Michelle Hankey
Cape Coral, FL

 

7/2/2009
Good Morning -
I want to provide feedback on Lindsey's performance at the Jarrettsville Library in Harford County, Maryland. Didgeridoo Down Under began our 2009 Summer Reading Program wonderfully. Every comment card we received noted the program as EXCELLENT (our highest rating). Lindsey was great to work with and very pleasant. It was nice to offer such a unique program and the community of Jarrettsville appreciated the opportunity to attend. Many Thanks!!!
Douglas Hess
Adult Library Associate II
Jarrettsville Library, MD
hess@hcplonline.info

 

6/29-7/2/2009
(copied from e-mail sent by Susan Burdette to Stephanie Shauck, Youth Services Consultant for Maryland State Dept of Education / Division of Library)
Stephanie - could you suggest a way that I can refer this national touring group to other state librarians as well as school librarians? We used this group as our summer reading kick-off program in all 11 branches. Each program was filled to capacity, as well as a teen workshop they had. I would be glad to answer questions for anyone about them. Our customers all rated them with "Excellent" and "the most exciting, educational, fun and motivational library program that my family has ever attended anywhere," etc. I cannot say enough good things about them and their program and would like to pass the word around. They are not well-known in Maryland (they originate from Florida).
Susan Burdette
Programming Specialist
Harford County Libraries, MD
burdette@hcplonline.info

 

3/20/2009
"WOW"...is all I have to say.
"Lindsey is incredible!"
I never viewed the videos before hand, I just wanted a didgeridoo player to come and play for us. He started the performance by playing and I thought Wow ..... he's amazing. It was worth every penny of the $900.00! I have your schedule, and students wanted to know when he would be at a library again, I will share or post the schedule for them.
His positive, encouraging energy brought all of us together today and a wonderful memory has been made. His boundless energy is inspiring to me!
Thank you,
Marcy McGahan
Art Teacher
Hellen Caro Elementary, FL
mmcgahan@escambia.k12.fl.us

 

2/5/2009
Dear Lindsey and Darren,
The shows were great! One key that lets us know that our children have enjoyed something at school is when they are still excited about it when they get in the car at the end of the day. That's what happened with my daughter and many of my friends said that the same thing happened with their children. My daughter has entertained us with her own didgeridoos made out of empty paper towel and toilet paper rolls. Even over the weekend, when we got together with some friends, the children were still talking about Didgeridoo Down Under. You were a hit, Mr. Lindsey! Thank you!
Best wishes,
Kelly Allen
PTO - Arts Alive Chair
St. Joseph Catholic School, SC
kellydallen@aol.com

 

1/23/2009
Lindsey was a pleasure to work with! Many, many teachers and administrators approached me after the assemblies to enthusiastically tell me that DDU was the best program we have ever had! The assemblies served as a culmination of a three-week unit of study in K-5 music classes and the kids really enjoyed it. I even went out to the hardware store this weekend to buy PVC pipe for my students to try it out for themselves. We had a great day and certainly learned a lot about Australian culture.
Thanks for everything!
Bonnie Shea
Music Teacher
Sabal Point Elementary, FL
bonnie_shea@scps.k12.fl.us

 

11/21/2008
Hello there,
Lindsey's performance was phenomenal!!! Our kids were so into it, as were the adults!!!
Please keep up the amazing work, these kids ate it right up!
Krystal Andrade
SAFE Coordinator
Lakeview Middle, FL
krystal.andrade@ocps.net

 

10/16/2008
The buzz in the air after you left was as loud as a swarm of insects!! I am not sure who enjoyed the performance more, the kids or the staff. The enrichment guide you provided us will be used time and time again. We usually use the same entertainment for our half days and usually the kids balk when they are not here, but not this time. Thank you for the enrichment, demanding respect and the overall content of your show. It is fabulous.
Jane Winters
After-School Program Director
Beacon Cove Intermediate, FL
winterj@palmbeach.k12.fl.us

 

9/24/2008
Dear Darren,
The program was wonderful. You touched upon many important issues; the environment, self esteem and respect for others. Your presentation was like a good recipe, with a pinch of education, a dash of humor and a heaping spoonful of entertainment. While that simmered, the melodic essence of the didgeridoo wafted throughout the room helping to form a bridge over the differences among all peoples. We learned, we laughed, we danced, and all had a grand time!
Best regards,
Pamela Lipofsky
Children's Department
Highland Beach Library, FL
pamela@highlandbeachlibrary.org

 

9/19/2008
(e-mail sent to all Clay County music teachers)
Hey Guys,
We had Didg Revolution at LAE several years ago (2005) and our kids went nuts over them. They bring artifacts, pictures, tons of stuff about and from Australia, but the big, very cool draw, of course, is the didgeridoos. Jeremy and Lindsey brought a bunch of wild looking didgeridoos. Circular breathing really impressed my kids. We had every grade level attend and held the assemblies outside under the pavilion. This is a serious social study-plus. Teachers will be very impressed. So will principals. Forward to your admin and go see them and beg. You won't regret it.
Love,
Susan Hendry
Music Teacher
Lake Asbury Elementary, FL
sdhendry@mail.clay.k12.fl.us

 

9/10/2008
Darren has been performing for our second graders for 5 years. He has such a wonderful talent, not only in playing the didgeridoo, but also teaching the students about taking care of our planet and caring for others. He has such a gift for keeping the students engaged and teaching them all about Australia. We look forward to having Darren share his gifts with our classes every year.
Thanks Darren!
Carla Gephart
2nd Grade Teacher
Lutheran Church of the Cross Day School, FL
cgephart@lccdayschool.com

 

8/12/2008
I usually don't stay in for the whole program, but I couldn't leave today. I was spellbound!
Alice S. Grace
Youth Librarian
South Trail Library, FL
grace.alice@ocls.info

 

7/17/2008
Didgeridoo Down Under has performed numerous times at the Hillsborough County Public Library
Cooperative to rave reviews from parents and children alike! This summer Darren wowed the crowd
at the Upper Tampa Bay Library through music, entertaining information and tons of participation that got them up movin' and groovin' to the sounds of the didgeridoo! Some of the comments were "Great job! Very informative and entertaining" and "Great time for parents as well as children. Participation by children is great!" We are looking forward to continuing the great relationship we have with HCPLC and Darren Liebman's Didgeridoo Down Under!
Susan Johnston
Youth Librarian
Upper Tampa Bay Library, FL
(retired Sept. 2008)

 

7/15/2008
This was a wonderful educational piece about Australia, its native peoples and its music. Anyone who has ever tried to play one of these instruments realizes what a treat such long demonstrations are. It was really fun finding out what all the different sounds represented. Even though we booked it for our young patrons, all the adults who attended were equally enthralled. It is a wonderful program.
Claudia Moriarty
Senior Library Assistant
Key Largo Library, FL
moriarty-claudia@monroecounty-fl.gov

 

7/10/2008
My kids and I saw Lindsey today at the Southeast Branch Library in St. Johns County and he was AMAZING! I thought the whole time about how much our school needed this program. It's music, it's history, it's culture, it's science ..... IT'S GREAT!
Jessica Griner
Elkton, FL

 

7/10/2008
Darren,
The show was awesome!!! Raihan was a total professional. It was a source of great cultural exposure for our students in North Port. The coordinator for the 21st Century Grant for the Global Literacy Camp was present, and was completely impressed, noting that the program was "exactly what the grant was intended" to do for students! Please send my appreciation to Raihan. I look forward to working with you again in the future!
Leiland Theriot
Music Teacher - National Board Certified
Phillippi Shores IB World School, FL
leilandt@comcast.net

 

7/9/2008
Hello Darren,
Everyone who attended your show at the Fort McCoy Public Library had a fantastic time!! You have a special way of introducing ordinary facts in a way that makes them very exciting to listen to. The children as well as the adults were completely enthralled!!! It was fun to see all of the didgeridoos you have made or acquired but the different sounds or tones from each of them was really a captivating experience. One of the moms mentioned that after the show her children were begging to make didgeridoos so she bought some PVC piping the very next day. It was a wonderful as well as educational show with lots of quality child participation!
Marilyn Jones
Supervisor
Fort McCoy Library, FL
marilyn.jones@marioncountyfl.org

 

6/20/2008
We had a great show this morning with Lindsey with an enthusiastic crowd of almost 70 people in attendance. Everyone there was saying, “Great show! Thanks!” so I’m passing that along to you. Great show! Thanks!!
Lindsey did a wonderful job of promoting the library books and factual information about Australia. I think that most of the kids who wanted to participate were able to, and that was one of the best parts of the show -- letting the kids perform. Excellent job all the way around.
Have a wonderful weekend and first day of summer!
Carole Dennis
Youth Services Librarian
Haywood County Library, NC
cdennis@haywoodlibrary.org

 

5/23/2008
Lindsey's show was great! The children and parents learned a lot, and Lindsey did an excellent job of sharing participation opportunities throughout the crowd. Attendance at this show was one of our largest ever (and possibly was our most crowded). Several participants told us that they'd driven more than 40 miles to catch Lindsey's show, and at today's gas prices that speaks volumes.
Thank you for a wonderful program, and we look forward to working with you again.
Maria Baroco
Young Adult Librarian
Orange Beach Library, AL
mbaroco@cityoforangebeach.com

 

5/23/2008
Mr. Dank was at Jackson Middle school on May 23rd. We had nearly 450 IB students attend this demonstration. I saw students tapping their feet, clapping their hands, and nodding their heads with huge smiles on their faces. Mr. Dank had a way with the students too. He had a gentle yet firm way of getting our students' attention instantly. The demonstration was not all about music only. He had students learn about history, culture, and the process of building the musical instrument. He involved the students in making the music which excited the students to no end. Some of the teachers commented about how effective and interesting the show was. All in all, the demonstration was fabulous and Mr. Dank was a hit!
Jhunu Mohapatra
Assistant Principal of Instruction
Stonewall Jackson Middle, FL
jhunu.mohapatra@ocps.net

 

5/9/2008
Hello Darren,
Didgeridoo Down Under was fantastic and exceeded all of my expectations! Lindsey was great with the younger and the older groups! It can be difficult to keep a group of 300 plus 5- to 8-year-olds engaged, but he did! I loved how he had the students participate. The music was wonderful and I really appreciated the educational aspect of the program!
Susan Chick
Prinicpal
Holiday Hill Elementary, FL
chicks@duvalschools.org

 

4/18/2008
Hello Darren:
Thank you so much for coming to our school. Your program was a great part of our Violence Free Week celebration. You not only taught the kids about unity and accepting other cultures, but also about how to get along and coping skills to prevent violence. We were so entertained by your program that the school is still talking about it!
Sincerely,
Judith Brown
DVS Specialist
Lake Orienta Elementary, FL
(no longer works at LOE)

 

4/17/2008
Dear Darren,
We were very pleased with the Didgeridoo Down Under presentation. Lindsey was enthusiastic, knowledgeable with all things Australian and certainly made beautiful sounds with the didgeridoo!
The staff and students truly enjoyed the Down Under experience. I would highly recommend this program to any school or organization looking for a unique learning experience.
Thank you again!
Maureen Coats
PTA Cultural Arts Chair
Layer Elementary, FL
coatspartyof6@aol.com

 

3/6/2008
Darren,
Lindsey was absolutely wonderful! He was engaging, informative, funny, very good at his craft, and the displays were excellent. I was amazed that one person could carry a couple of hundred of 6th graders that well - they were learning AND having fun. Next year I will beat down doors to do a block booking and make it worth the trip. The schools don't know what they are missing!
Thanks so much!
Nancy Rodriguez
Arts Coordinator
City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department, SC
rodrign@northcharleston.org

 

2/27/2008
Hi Darren,
It was such a pleasure to have Didgeridoo Down Under visit Boulevard Heights. Your multicultural program was fantastic! Students and faculty raved about your presentation as being one of the best we have ever had!! You had all the ingredients of a successful program. Integrating history, music, art, geography, and science with a colorful and interesting visual display on stage, set the tone for a wonderful learning experience. Your enthusiasm, humor, excellent stage presence, and opportunity for audience
participation, were icing on the cake. Thank you for giving our school an "out of the box" marvelous educational and entertaining experience.
Gratefully,
Betty Bunnell
Multicultural Coordinator
Boulevard Heights Elementary, FL
betty.bunnell@browardschools.com

 

1/25/2008
G'day Darren,
Many thanks for bringing "The Land Down Under" to Spring Creek Elementary for a second year in a row. Lindsey is so authentic and his knowledge is expressed in such an entertaining fashion. The 3rd and 4th grades were mesmerized and are still talking about the didgeridoos and Aboriginal people. This program enhances my multicultural curriculum and continues to provide me updated facts about our smallest continent.
Being a theater person, and supporter of the arts in education, I welcome the opportunity to educate children where they are actively engaged in the learning process. We will look forward to your return visit soon!
Lynne Gratton
Multicultural Studies Teacher
Spring Creek Elementary, FL
lynnegr@leeschools.net

 

1/18/2008
The show was great! It met and went beyond my expectations. Lindsey was a great showman and a talented musician. The kids loved it. He allowed my friend and I to show off our budding didge skills and spent time with us between shows, talking about the making of didges and Australian culture and native peoples. First grade said thanks for their show too. They loved it.
One kid from my class searched the room and found a small cardboard tube. He played it on and off for the rest of the day, and to our surprise, got a pretty good sound out of it. He may join your group in the future. :)
Thanks again. Same time next year? And yes I will share the info.
You guys rock!
Shari Lynn Gewanter
Kindergarten Teacher
Oak Ridge Elementary, FL
gewanters@mail.oakridge.leon.k12.fl.us

 

12/19/2007
Lindsey was great. I even heard our principal, Tom Westermeyer, say that "this is the best show I've ever seen in school."
Lisa McBee
Assistant Principal
West Melbourne Elementary School for Science, FL
mcbee.lisa@brevardschools.org

 

12/15/2007
The show was awesome. The music was wonderful, of course, and everyone had a great time learning how to play. I was also VERY impressed with the educational/respect for others and nature aspect of it. What a wonderful program! I and everyone else, I think, learned so much. I've never seen such a long and interesting question and answer session. Please thank Lindsey again, and thank him, too, for being so generous with his time. I will definitely let other people know about you!
We look forward to seeing and hearing you again this summer!
Michelle Kiley
Young Adult Librarian
Ponte Vedra Library, FL
mkiley@sjcfl.us

 

11/27/2007
I did all I could to hold my seat during the program!!!! I wanted to dance! It was wonderful!!!
Bea Brown
Special Needs Teacher
Brookwood Elementary, GA
bbrown@ccboe.net

 

11/27/2007
(e-mail sent to all Columbia County music teachers)
Music Teachers -
We just had this program this morning. Everyone was extremely pleased. The program was informative, interactive, and very entertaining. It was worth the money!
Johnny Carr
Music Specialist
Brookwood Elementary, GA
jcarr@ccboe.net

 

11/16/2007
(e-mail sent to all Marion County media specialists)
Just wanted to let everyone know that Didgeridoo Down Under was GREAT!!! The students have already asked for the books Darren highlighted during the show. So we will see a lot of reading about Australia happening in the next few weeks.
There was student interaction, visuals, and comedy. Along with lessons to be learned. Our music teacher helped prepare the students for this presentation, which really helped. We also incorporated the vocabulary words (from the Didgeridoo Down Under study guide) on our daily morning show.
If you have any questions just let me know.
Marie Valletta
Media Specialist
Sunrise Elementary, FL
marie.valletta@marion.k12.fl.us

 

10/30/2007
Darren, we've gotten all kinds of positive comments about your presentation, followed up by a new curiosity about Australia. I'm sorry I haven't gotten back to you before this, to send you a whelming thanks for performing at Booker High School. What a wonderful job(?) you have, doing something that you love and sharing your enthusiasm about many parts of life with young people.
Your messages about career/life path, the environment, and other aspects were subtly presented as you seasoned your gentle sermons with entertaining vignettes. Continued good luck in your endeavor, and I most assuredly will pass along your name to other educators in our school system.
Ann Copeman
Media Specialist
Booker High, FL
ann_copeman@sarasota.k12.fl.us

 

10/26/2007
Hi Darren,
I had to write you a note and let you know how much we enjoyed Lindsey!! The kids and teachers were all thrilled with his assemblies on Thursday and the 4th graders LOVED learning to play their PVC didgeridoos today! The rest of the kids at school were jealous that the 4th graders actually got to learn to play.
Lindsey's workshop was great - he worked well with the kids and was able to get them started on the basics of didg playing. I'm sure parents all over Anderson will be hearing lots of didg sounds tonight - and will probably be heading out to buy more PVC for siblings!
We are going to spread the word here in Anderson - a picture of Lindsey with the kids is already on the front page of the Anderson 5 website, and we'll have pics on the music website and probably most of the 4th grade websites soon. I also have some friends in Columbia and I will spread the word to them as well!
We told Lindsey that we'd like to see if we might be able to have him back next year to work with the next group of 4th graders - it was such a neat experience, it would be cool to let more kids participate.
Thanks again for calling to follow up and get Lindsey booked with us! We loved him. My first grade son said several times in the car on the way home this afternoon, "I like Lindsey Dank." Then all three of my boys were talking about how nice he was - and telling me I should have gotten my didg autographed like they did!
Thank you, thank you!!!
Sydney Phillips
Music Teacher
Midway Elementary, SC
sydneyphillips@anderson5.net