Bridges Academy Student Reviews

These are the comments from some of our students.

	From Elizabeth Pearson, Soprano, Sophomore Music Major at The University of Texas and Former Bridges Student I was very shy in middle school. I loved to sing and act and be on stage, but you wouldn't know it. I wouldn't sing by myself at school; I wouldn't even sing for my parents! When I was in 7th grade, I auditioned for the Pure Sound musical, and Sid Davis cast me in my first solo. It was amazing! It was as if he was giving me the ok to let people know I could sing. A few years later, he introduced me to Beverly Laubach who became my voice teacher for 3 years at Bridges Academy. She took what Sid had heard in my voice and carefully developed it through a combination of technical exercises, difficult classical pieces, and fun musical theatre songs. She taught me how to be a healthy singer. She let me know that not only could I sing, but that I was good. In addition to my musical training through Bridges Academy, I also gained confidence in myself and in my performing. I learned the importance of hard work, though I admittedly did not like to practice! I learned how to be a gracious performer, and I learned respect for those around me. I'm no longer shy about my voice nor am I as shy in daily life. The training and encouragement I received at Bridges Academy were invaluable, as were the incredibly supportive relationships forged with all Bridges faculty. Everything I learned through Bridges helped me make the decision to become a music major. It was a bumpy road to get there, but now I apply what I learned from my time at Bridges every day in music classes, choir rehearsals, and voice lessons in the music school at the University of Texas as I continue pursuing my goal of performing on Broadway.
	From Jeff Bosworth I started taking voice lessons at Bridges Academy about 18 months ago. I had always loved to sing and thought that this would be a good way to continue my hobby. With the guidance and help of members of the faculty of Bridges, especially Beverly Laubach, my hobby has turned into much more. They taught me to sing like I never knew that I could. It was like opening a door to a musical world that I never knew existed for me. With their help, I now have sung with the Houston Grand Opera Chorus and look forward to many more years of singing.
	From Susan Moore Ishmael, mother of Bridges student Rachel Ishmael I learned of Bridges Academy through the website and, before long, Sid Davis was coaching her weekly lessons that helped develop her talent immensely . . . . This program is indeed remarkable. These young people welcomed Rachel with open arms and made her feel included from the very first.
	From Val Dagher, University of Houston It all started in 8^th grade when I was at Briarmeadow Charter School, a public HISD school where the principal at the time was Lynne Barnes, and my English teacher was Julie Goodloe. Our school was very small with about 25 in my graduating 8^th grade class, so we didn’t have electives, but we still had that ancillary thing, like elementary students have. Every day we did something different after lunch. On Mondays we had visual arts, Tuesdays and Thursdays we had PE, Wednesdays we had Computer, and on Friday we had Early dismissal. Later during the year we were told that we would have Choir on Tuesdays and Thursdays. At the time I was playing the violin, and there was no music program at our small school, so I was excited. The catch was, it was going to be during lunch. Choir was to start on a Thursday, and during that week, I overheard a conversation with Julie Goodloe about some guy named Sid and something to do with the Choir. I was kind of scared of the name Sid ever since I watched the movie Toy Story, but nevertheless, that Thursday, I got my lunch and walked in to the music room to see some dude with white hair and some lady next to him. They introduced themselves as Sid and Mitzi. After that, we started to sing “warm up” songs about mamas, and keys, and radar blips… I didn’t at the time understand what the warm-ups purpose was, but I already was having the best time that year. My mom at the time was running the chess club and saw how much I loved the choir, and how my siblings loved the choir. It just so happened that the Church where Sid and Mitzi were from was from St. Luke’s United Methodist Church. So on Scout Sunday, My whole family was in our scout uniforms and we joined the church in front of the whole congregation. That Sunday, I was referred to Pure Sound and was told to be there at 4:15. So I did, when I got there they were singing that song about mamas, and keys, and I felt a part of it already. Some lady named Ann asked me what voice part I was, I said Sid would know, Sid told Ann, and then Ann placed me in a section called the tenors, where I was instantly welcomed and greeted by people I had never met before. The music we sang was so beautiful and fun, and the people there were so amazing. I couldn’t wait till next Sunday, and the next and the next. Pure Sound has changed my life. I have learned so much, made amazing friends and done so many amazing things with Pure sound. I would give almost anything for everyone I know to experience my experiences with Pure Sound. Bridges made all these things happen for me by introducing Sid and Mitzi to me and my family through our school. The church and Pure Sound has given me so much to cherish and to appreciate and the things that Sid does, along with all the things Bridges does to reach out to everyone is amazing. St. Luke’s and Pure Sound are like a second family for me, and if I never met that dude with the white hair, well, I would have missed out!