The Golden Key Music Festival receives consistently high praise from its many participants. Here is a just a small sample of their reactions.
"The [Vienna] tour was truly incredible. You succeeded in putting together such an interesting, lively, and enriching program, and every element fit perfectly into the overall theme of Viennese music and each event complemented the others. It was truly amazing, and a real success. It is this cohesion that distinguishes your program from other similar ones. It seems to me, that you created a great rhythm in the program through the fast-paced schedule and thematic unity; it gave each day a great energy. We all felt suddenly immersed in a world of music. ...My students, for one, have not stopped talking about their experience. Not a lesson goes by that they do not remember something about Vienna .... Their eyes light up; they grin at the colorful and beautiful memories. You truly created a one-of-a-kind world, a one-of-a-kind atmosphere that engulfed us. It was both very productive and professional, and also friendly, casual, and warm. Thank you again, and congratulations!"
Marina Strakovsky
Cecilian Music Club, NJ
President
"Serina has been going to the Golden key Festival for a few years now. I need to let you know that every time I attend the Golden Key Festival at Carnegie Hall, I enjoy it so much.... But this year, it was really fantastic! All the kids were so talented. The guests were just great, especially Mr. Stephan Möller. Thank you again for such a wonderful evening."
Alissar Deeba
"I just wanted to say thank you for managing the trip to Vienna. It was spectacular, I loved it! It's definitely one of my favorite places of Europe and I hope to visit there again. I especially liked the House of Music and the trip to Salzburg. It was beautiful there. Mozart was lucky to have lived in such a beautiful city. Thanks again for the amazing trip!"
Sarah Qi
"We would like to take this opportunity to thank you and Marina sincerely for hosting the Golden Key Piano Festival, Vienna. The festival was wonderfully organized, and we really enjoyed ourselves in Austria. Abhik had a great time. Going to Vienna had been his dream for a long time, and we think the reality was better than the dream."
Sandip, Srirupa, and Abhik Mazumder
"Congratulations on planning, organizing and pulling off another fantastic festival! Each year our students look forward to the event and the performances in New York and Philadelphia. It is very positive and encouraging event that brings out the best in the students who participate."
Paul Sallee, Director, Music University of New Jersey
"My son Raymond Zhang is Ms. Ingrid Clarfield's student and have performed in Carnegie Hall, NYC today. We are very happy and we enjoyed the concert a lot. Thank you so much for successfully organized festival."
Mary Wang, Princeton, New Jersey
"Thank you so much for organizing the Golden Key Music Festival and for giving the children the opportunity to play at the Carnegie Hall and other prominent concert halls of New York and Philadelphia. My family had a wonderful time and enjoyed the recital very much. It is amazing to see how many children participate in the Festival and devote their time and effort to music."
Joanne Yeung, Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania
"Thank you very much for the Barnes & Noble gift card and my Diploma at the Kimmel Center. I enjoyed playing in the Festival recital and hope to do it again."
Ary Swaminathan, 9 years old
"My daughter Anne Shen won silver prize. She was delighted to be given the chance to perform at Merkin Hall."
Chunhong Liu, Paoli, Pennsylvania
"I'd like to say thank you so much for having such a wonderful organization to give those young artists a chance to perform, to explore, and have more self-confidence about their achievements. After my son knew he won the Gold Medal, he said to me he'll work hard; he felt so happy, and has more confidence now. There is nothing could make a mother happier than hearing her son saying those words to her. Thank you so much to Golden Key Music Festival."
Angela Fan, Livingston, New Jersey
"It was just wonderful! Thank you for this amazing festival, for all you are doing for children and their teachers."
Tatiana Vetrinskaya, Director, New Mexico Music School, Albuquerque, NM
"My son Michael feels very happy to be a winner of the Golden Key Music Festival and perform at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity for him and for all our family. See you in New York."
Christophe Pantillon, Vienna, Austria
"...I wanted to thank you for the wonderful opportunity that the Golden Key Festival represented for my son Ulises Cordova Chavez. The experience went truly beyond his expectation, especially the opportunity to meet and share time with so many talented kids from different part of the world and also having such a fine audience appreciating his composition. My parents were delighted as well. They were also very impressed with you, Mr.Borisov. Thank you again,"
Rosa Aurora Chavez-Eakle, MD, Ph.D., Mexico
"...I can't wait to tell you that Golden Key Gold night in New York was excellent, beautiful recital! All students did great job. The ending Trio brought the audience spirit up to the roof top. Everyone clapped hands with the ending marching!!! I so proud of my children"
Aihung Iris Cheng,New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
"...Saturday's recital was incredible experience for Maura, and she was honored and thrilled to be among such incredibly talented young musicians. What a proud for parents and teacher as well! The Golden Key is so well organized from audition to recital. We are looking forward toward the 2011 season!"
Jennifer Tuffy, New Jersey, USA
"...We wanted to write a quick note thanking you for all of your efforts with the Vienna trip and Golden Key recital concerts. We had a meaningful and spectacular time, and learned a lot. Overall it was a wonderful trip, and we are grateful for everything you put into this. I am including a link to a photo gallery we put together Thanks again, and looking forward to future Golden Key International Festivals!
Frank, Marjorie, Noah Silvestry,Philadelphia, USA
"...Thank you for opening my piano experience. Before Golden Key I didn't appreciate my talent as much as I do now. Through the wonderful trip in Vienna I was able to meet other piano students around the globe who play, and this was truly inspirational. Thank you again for everything. Sincerely,
Andrius Radzevicius, Connecticut, USA
"...It was just fantastic experience to perform among musicians from the United States and Austria at finest Viennese Boesendorfer Concert Hall, to attend the Festivals brilliant concerts. And Vienna... What a wonderful place to be! Our excursions to memorials for such great composers as Mozart, Beethoven, Strauss (especially tour to Salzburg!) I will remember forever. Thank you"
Katarina Polyushkina, Russia