"Thank you so much for coming! I've had nothing but rave reviews - you were a definite hit at the party! The kids had so much fun and having you there made it special and memorable for everyone...I can't thank you enough - having you at Ben's party turned it into a real event that the kids will be talking about for a long time. We've already heard from our friends who reported that the kids were exhausted and said it was the best party ever!!!"
Danielle, Mother of 2 year old, Burlington
"Thanks so much for making Zoe's second birthday party a fun time for all. Not only where the little ones enjoying themselves, but their parents were also having a good time. I liked that you took the time before hand to say Hi to Zoe (and her friends) personally...she warmed up to you very quickly...I even have pictures of the introduction frame by frame proving it.
The kids watched your every movement and enthusiastically participated with your songs and little games. The instruments and the puppets were a big hit. Even the shyer guests mustered up the courage to wait their turn to get a high five from you. You made the effort to know each of their names and it was obvious that they responded positively to the personal touch. Zoe's perma-smile was a testament to that.
After the show, the Moms commented how nice it was that you again took the time to say good bye to each kid individually, and many commented on your nice 'radio' voice :)
Thanks again for the great show, we all enjoyed it very much."
Nela Fidelino, Markham, Ontario
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"...we wanted to say thank you once again for being here.
You did a fantastic job and our guests could not stop talking about how
great you were after you left.
You truly showed the kids (and adults :) ) a great time." Jackie Adachi, Brampton, mother of 5 year old |
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"I just wanted to thank you for the wonderful job you did at my daughter's
birthday! The kids had so much fun and really enjoyed the time with you.
You brought smiles and laughter to all the children's faces with your
instruments and music. Thanks again for a wonderful day!!"
Judy, mother of 3 year old, Vaughan, Ontario
"I enjoyed spending time with you and the other storytellers. I mostly enjoyed the plays. I thought that you are pretty nice when you worked with my group since they were not there. I had a fun time."
Amanda, grade 4 Student, Dovercourt PS
"We hired James to perform for our daughter's fifth birthday, celebrated with her friends at the West End Jr. YMCA daycare. Judging by the children's response to his songs, stories and games, his reputation as the "Pied Piper" is well deserved. He's funny, gentle and paces himself well to accommodate different personalities. I would highly recommend him and his work."
Wendy Miller, Toronto, Ontario
"My JK & SK class really enjoyed the visit to our classroom. They were fascinated with the variety of instruments -bongo drums, accordion, and banjo-and James' multi-talented skills.
The pace of the performance was excellent and the children were kept involved at all times. They also learned many skills from doing the well-planned activities. I was very impressed with James' sensitive and caring ways when dealing with my class and am looking forward to a return visit. Great storytelling! We definitely want to invite James back next year!"
Elizabeth Gough, Kindergarten Teacher, Regal Road Public School
"James is able to stimulate children's imagination with his storytelling. He is able to incorporate the concepts of co-operation/conflict resolution while telling the story. He involves children with hands on the instruments while doing music activities and takes children on a multi-cultural journey with his songs."
Rose Simone, Teacher Dovercourt PS
"Everybody liked the presentation you did and learned how to tell stories. Your songs were awesome!"
Andrea Sanchez, Grade 4 Student, Jesse Ketchum Public School
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"We just wanted to thank you for your time and energy on Saturday. The kids as well as the adults love it! It was very entertaining and a great time for all."
Janene Christiansen, Toronto
"We wish to thank you for the wonderful musical storytelling show you put on for the children - they were absolutely enthralled and you made the party a huge success."
Margot Thompson, mother of 8 year old Alexander
"Thank You!!!! I can't tell you how many calls I have received about your outstanding performance !!!
It truly is amazing how you kept so many children's interest and enthusiasm for so long!!! We have never seen our kids so involved and excited about anything!!! Our deepest thanks."
Ricki Horowitz, Vaughan Ontario
Jennifer Belton, Toronto
"I wanted to write and thank you for the fantastic performance you gave yesterday at my son Eli's second birthday party. From the minute you arrived and set up your instruments, you interacted with the kids, drawing them into your wonderful musical world. And the kids just ate it up: watching you unpack the drums, the banjo and the accordion, put on your funny hat and start the show... they are all still talking about the instruments the next day. You managed to round up all the kids from outside and from the first bar, all eyes and ears were on you. (By the way, thank you for making the effort to learn all of their names- it was a lovely personal touch that made each child feel special.)
Your show was magical, as is your way with children. Because of your talents, all of the kids were enthusiastic about the music and eager to participate with you in singing, clapping, playing instruments and puppets... whatever you had them do, they loved! We gave you a tough job, asking you to do a show for such a wide age range: kids 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, 5 years, 7 years as well as parents and grandparents, from here and abroad.
You chose music and songs that drew everyone in. No matter their age, you had everyone singing, laughing and clapping with you. Your song selection inspired the kids to be creative, to sing and express themselves. They clammored to make up rhymes for your - even Aidan, who is the shyest little boy I know, was thrilled to yell out a rhyme for "Down By the Bay".
After the party, Eli's grandfather commented that most children's performers he has seen perform either for themselves or for the adults in the room. He said it is very rare to see a children's performer who is able to draw children in like you do. He thought it was magical to see each and every child respond to you, participate and enjoy each and every one of the 45 minutes of music and song. I could not agree more. It was a fantastic show. Kudos to you James, you are a real talent. Thank you for giving all of us, especially Eli, a birthday to remember."
Jennifer Shuber, Toronto
"We could not have asked for a better birthday celebration. Everything went so well. The kids had so much fun and you kept them so interested. Thanks again and hope to see you again."
Seow-Woon Lim, Toronto
"Thank you again for a wonderful afternoon at Jackson's 5th Birthday party! He is still quite excited about having you here and sharing you with his friends! We were very impressed with your talent and abilities to involve very excited children for over an hour in a variety of musical and storytelling activities. Thank you for making this a special day for us. We have some wonderful memories and all of the children and parents too were very impressed by you!
We will definitely be recommending you to our friends and family!"
Terri Leach, Newmarket
"I just wanted to thank you for the wonderful job you did at my daughter's
birthday! The kids had so much fun and really enjoyed the time with you.
You brought smiles and laughter to all the children's faces with your
instruments and music. Thanks again for a wonderful day!!"
Judy, mother of 3 year old, Vaughan, Ontario
"Our children were delighted to see you again, they are already wondering when we can have you back for a third time! Many of our parents (and grandparents too!) made a point of coming up to me to thank me for finding such great entertainment! You truly made a great impression on them."
Lorna Meggitt, Friends Daycare
"James is certainly "playful"-very outgoing, lively, exciting and fun! The children were completely taken with him - he was a Pied Piper with little mice following along. The accordion was an especially big hit! Well done!"
Suzanne Joyner, Grade 1 Teacher, Rosedale Public School
"Your show was fantastic...everyone enjoyed your performance from the kids to the adults. I couldn't believe you held their attention for so long with so much going on at the party. I loved the costumes, songs, & stories."
Helen, Brampton, Ontario
"Thanks again for helping to make Carlyn's 3rd birthday so memorable. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed your performance - toddlers and parents! You did an amazing job of getting the children to engage with the music...many of the parents asked about you and commented what a great show it was."
Sharon Ferriss, Toronto
"It's great to have James in our classroom. His performance enhances kindergarten students' opportunity to develop their oral language. They learned a lot from his stories and of course we enjoyed it very much. We hope to see him more often in our classrooms."
Yumei Zhang, Kindergarten Teacher, Regal Road Public School
"I just wanted to take a moment to THANK YOU!!!!! Your performance was amazing and so entertaining. All the other parents were so complimentary through-out the evening and commented on how wonderful you were with the kids.
It has been a constant topic of conversation today around the house. The girls keep adding to their list of 'favorite things at the birthday party'; each new item involves one of your songs or one of your stories."
Helen Pearce, Mother of 4 & 6 year old, Toronto